Russia appears to be driving Ukraine out of its last stronghold in the Kursk region, a move that has been endorsed by US President Donald Trump. The Russian military advance accelerated after Mr. Trump froze military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine on March 3, only for it to resume this week with a proposal for a 30-day cease-fire.
According to reports, Russian forces have taken control of key towns in the region, including Sudzha, which was the main Ukrainian outpost. Ukrainian troops, however, are vowing to “hold the line” and reject claims that they are surrounded.
The Kursk region is crucial for Ukraine as it provides access to western Russia and could be used to strengthen Kyiv’s position in future negotiations with Moscow. The area was seized by Ukrainian forces last summer, a move that caught Russia off guard and embarrassed President Vladimir Putin.
Russia initially focused on defending eastern Ukraine but gradually shifted its attention to the Kursk region after the Ukrainian incursion. North Korean troops were deployed to assist Moscow’s defense, but suffered heavy losses and were eventually withdrawn from the frontline.
Ukraine’s top military commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, rejected claims of an imminent withdrawal from the area, vowing to “hold the line in the Kursk region for as long as it remains reasonable and necessary.” The situation remains fluid, with Russia claiming that its forces have retaken Sudzha and Ukrainian troops on the back foot.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/article/kursk-ukraine-russia-war.html