Ukraine Intensifies Kursk Offensive as Negotiations Loom with Trump Administration

Kyiv seeks to maintain pressure on Moscow by holding Russian territory, with Kursk seen as a strategic asset ahead of potential peace talks.

Ukraine has launched a limited offensive in Kursk, aiming to retain control of key areas and signal its resilience to both Russia and Western allies.
The operation in Kursk, initiated in August 2024, marked the first Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory since World War II and has inflicted significant Russian and North Korean casualties.
Military experts highlight Kursk's value as a potential bargaining chip in upcoming negotiations, though Ukraine faces challenges holding the territory against Russian and North Korean forces.
President Zelensky emphasized that the operation was a defensive measure to prevent further Russian advances into northern Ukraine, not an attempt to claim Russian land.
With President-elect Trump preparing to take office, Ukraine's actions are seen as an effort to strengthen its position in anticipated peace talks while demonstrating its military capability.