KYIV, Ukraine — As a ceasefire with Russia inches closer, Ukraine has lost its most valuable bargaining chip: control over significant territory in the Kursk region. In August, Ukrainian troops launched a surprise attack on Russian forces, capturing approximately 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of land. This bold move was meant to bolster morale and aid future peace negotiations.
However, after months of intense pressure from Russian forces supported by North Korean troops, Ukraine now holds only about 30% of the territory it initially seized. The Ukrainian army is in retreat, with soldiers suffering rapid near-defeat in the city of Sudzha.
The loss of Kursk region could be a turning point for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his military advisers. The invasion was intended to redirect Russian forces from inside Ukraine, but many soldiers and commanders question whether it was worth diluting their forces available to defend the country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees in principle with a proposed 30-day ceasefire, but details still need to be worked out. The defeat in Sudzha caps months of struggle in Kursk, with combat ongoing in the periphery as some Ukrainian soldiers try to fight their way back into neighboring Sumy region of Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers fear that Russia’s air superiority will enable them to wipe out logistics routes essential for sustaining soldiers still in Kursk. The loss has left Ukrainian soldiers stranded, walking dozens of kilometers to escape Russian forces and questioning the wisdom of commanders who did not order withdrawals sooner.
Ceasefire talks have become increasingly urgent as Ukraine’s military leaders weigh the costs of further action. While some see the push into Russian territory as crucial for countering Russian advances, others believe it was a strategic mistake that has cost them dearly.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kursk-putin-zelenskyy-8d7afde9eb8bce215007f3f8cc29fed6