The Russian army has systematically destroyed crucial infrastructure in the Kursk region of western Russia, leaving both local citizens and observers in shock. Despite this, Russian forces continue their relentless attacks on the Ukrainian military presence in the area.
Ukraine’s garrison of approximately ten thousand soldiers in the region is under significant pressure. Repeated drone strikes by elite Russian forces have obliterated hundreds of vehicles along the main route between Kursk and Sudzha, a strategic location for the Ukrainian resistance. In addition, Russian forces have begun targeting key bridges, a move that has been widely reported by Forbes.
With Ukrainian supply lines deteriorating, Russian and North Korean troops in Kursk have escalated their three-month counteroffensive. Ukrainian brigades stationed on the northern edge of the region are retreating towards Sudzha, where they have managed to repel Russian attempts to break through defensive positions near an old gas pipeline. However, analysts suggest this retreat could mark the beginning of a complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region to more secure positions in northern Ukraine.
Russia is determined to block any escape routes, with Ukrainian military aircraft, including MiG-29 fighter jets, attempting to disrupt Russian efforts. The destruction of bridges along the border with Ukraine is part of Russia’s broader strategy to prevent the Ukrainian tactical group from retreating. The Ukrainian Centre for Defence Strategies has warned of the grave situation developing in the region.
In early February, Ukraine’s forces had some success in holding their positions. However, the arrival of Russia’s Centre for Advanced Unmanned Systems, known as Rubicon, dramatically shifted the situation in Russia’s favour. Rubicon employs advanced drone tactics, including explosive FPV drones that can evade Ukrainian radio jamming. Independent analyst Andrew Perpetua has described these drones as particularly dangerous. A series of Russian drone attacks on the road to Sudzha signals what could be the final stage of Ukraine’s seven-month-long resistance in Kursk.
“The moment you saw the destruction on the Sudzha road, you should have started worrying about Kursk,” Perpetua wrote.
Russia’s intensified military campaign in the region coincides with former US President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to halt further aid to Ukraine and cease intelligence sharing between the United States and Ukraine. European allies are attempting to fill this intelligence gap, but the transition is expected to take time. Meanwhile, Russia is exploiting the situation to its advantage.
The Institute for the Study of War has noted that the timing of the US intelligence suspension and the collapse of Ukraine’s resistance in Kursk is significant.
At the same time, tensions in Europe over Ukraine’s future continue to rise. French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed that the war must not end with Ukraine’s surrender, suggesting that European military contingents could be deployed to Ukraine after a peace agreement is reached. He warned that Russia’s ambitions extend beyond Ukraine and pose a direct threat to European nations.
The Kremlin has categorically rejected this proposal, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating that any such deployment would be seen as direct NATO involvement in the war against Russia.
It remains uncertain whether Ukraine’s resistance in Kursk can hold out or if the region will fall entirely under Russian control as the conflict escalates.
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