Ukraine’s army narrowly escaped capture in the Kursk region by the first week of March. The Ukrainian forces, which had seized the area in August, were surrounded by Russian troops who had amassed at least 50,000 soldiers, four times the number of Ukrainians. The situation was further complicated by North Korean support for Russia and a limited intelligence sharing deal with the US that was introduced on March 5th.
According to Ukrainian intelligence officers, they were “blindsided” by the Russian move, which suggests a lack of confidence in their own capabilities. The US has maintained that Ukraine had sufficient resources to defend itself, but some officials question this claim. The incident highlights the challenges facing Ukraine as it seeks peace and the importance of effective military support.
The article’s focus is solely on the Ukrainian army’s escape from Kursk, making adjustments for clarity, concision and coherence without compromising essential details or context.
Source: https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/03/17/ukraines-army-escapes-from-kursk-by-the-skin-of-its-teeth