Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov acknowledged the dire situation facing the Russian forces in the Kursk region. According to a report from the Russian Telegram channel “Kremlevskaya Tabakerka,” Gerasimov confided in his inner circle that the area would likely not be liberated until the end of 2025, despite the Kremlin’s earlier optimism about regaining control over the territory. Gerasimov cited the mounting losses Russian troops have suffered, the lack of sufficient manpower, and the need to direct forces to other more promising parts of the front line.
The Russian general also warned of further challenges, including the likelihood of renewed counterattacks by Ukrainian forces. This stark admission is a clear indication of the difficulties faced by Russian forces on the battlefield, which has been complicated by increasingly effective Ukrainian counteroffensives. The region has been a point of contention since August 2024, when parts of Kursk were seized by Ukrainian troops, in spite of repeated directives from Russian President Vladimir Putin to expel Ukrainian forces from the area.
Meanwhile, the situation in the Kursk region has become even more dire economically. Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein revealed that the region is now facing a crippling budget deficit, with debts reaching 17 billion rubles. This financial strain has made it impossible for local authorities to pay compensation to the families of soldiers killed in the conflict, as well as to provide for refugees who have fled due to ongoing Russian shelling. The lack of funds has also led to an inability to support the reconstruction of homes destroyed in the fighting. According to Khinshtein, the situation is so severe that the region has effectively gone bankrupt.
In the face of this economic collapse, many affected residents have demanded compensation and assistance, but their pleas have been met with indifference. Local officials have stated that there is no money to offer and that any available funds are being funneled into continuing the war effort. The destruction in the Kursk region is already catastrophic, with 7,585 houses destroyed, and more than 500,000 square metres of housing obliterated. Yet, the Russian government has refused to relocate residents to other areas or to offer meaningful financial support, leaving them to fend for themselves.
As the war drags on, it has become increasingly clear that Russia is unable to protect or provide for its citizens in regions like Kursk. The true cost of Putin’s war is being felt not just on the battlefield, but in the economic and social collapse of Russian regions. Even Russian officials are starting to realise the grim reality of the situation, with many now facing the consequences of a war that has drained the nation’s resources and destroyed its economy.
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