Ukraine is under increasing pressure to hold onto a strategic region in eastern Russia. The country’s forces seized parts of Russian territory last year, but now face a growing threat from a Russian offensive supported by North Korean troops.
Russia has made significant advances in the past week, pushing Ukrainian positions back and forcing them to withdraw to new defense lines. The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War reported that Russian forces are “collapsing” the northern part of the Ukrainian lines in Kursk.
Ukrainian troops are under severe pressure, with several thousand soldiers at risk of encirclement as Russia attempts to cut off their supply road into the region. Despite this, Ukraine’s military leadership claims the situation is under control and they are inflicting heavy casualties on Russian forces.
The situation comes as tensions between Ukraine and Russia reach a boiling point. The Trump administration has intensified efforts to end the three-year-old war, but Russia has refused to engage in meaningful negotiations unless it regains control of parts of Kursk.
Analysts suggest that the sudden cutoff of US intelligence sharing earlier this month may be hindering Ukraine’s ability to defend itself in Kursk. Ukrainian officials warn that the loss of intel will make it harder for them to strike back at Russian forces massing in the region.
However, there are signs of hope on the eastern front, where Russia’s advance is appearing to stall and Ukraine is launching successful counterattacks. The country is also making gains in other cities, such as Toretsk, which has seen intense urban fighting but ultimately been recaptured by Ukrainian forces.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/ukraine-under-pressure-russia-kursk-region/story?id=119633186