Russia has confirmed a new Ukrainian offensive in the region of Kursk, where Moscow has been battling with Kyiv’s forces since 2022. The situation is described by President Vladimir Putin as “very difficult”. Meanwhile, Ukraine has offered to establish a humanitarian corridor for civilians in the Russian-occupied region and has received several fighter jets from France and the Netherlands.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised his troops for their efforts and awarded state honors to several army units. The president stated that the Kursk operation demonstrates the principle of “peace through strength”. However, Moscow has been accused of “indifference” towards the fate of its own citizens in the region.
France delivered a first batch of Mirage 2000 fighter jets and F-16 fighters to Ukraine, while Ukraine’s general staff launched an airfield attack in southern Russia that was being used to launch Shahed drones. The US vice-president JD Vance and Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg are expected to attend the upcoming Munich security conference alongside Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
Additionally, Slovakia’s gas transit company SPP announced it had started getting gas from Russia via Turkey after Ukraine halted Russian flows via its territory. The situation remains tense as negotiations between Ukraine and Russia continue to stall.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/07/ukraine-war-briefing-putin-admits-situation-very-difficult-in-kursk-as-kyiv-forces-mount-new-offensive