Ukraine Claims Continued Control of Territory in Russia's Kursk Region
Ukraine's top commander says troops still control 90 km² inside Russia's Kursk region, despite fierce fighting with 70,000 Russian troops and North Korean reinforcements.
Enet
Kyiv, Ukraine – Nearly a year after launching a surprise cross-border offensive, Ukrainian forces still control part of Russia’s Kursk region, according to Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrsky.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Syrsky confirmed that Ukrainian troops maintain control of approximately 90 square kilometers in Kursk, despite intense Russian efforts to reclaim the area. He noted that around 10,000 Russian soldiers are currently engaged in attempts to push Ukrainian units out of the region.
Initial Invasion Captured Over 1,000 km²
The incursion began on August 6, 2024, when Ukraine launched a surprise attack into the Kursk region, capturing several border villages and more than 1,000 square kilometers of territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the operation as essential to creating a buffer zone to protect eastern Ukraine from Russian advances.
Although Russia later claimed to have retaken the region, Syrsky said a small but strategic portion remains under Ukrainian control.
Ukraine Ramps Up Attacks, Says Civilian Targets Avoided
General Syrsky emphasized that Ukraine is escalating attacks on Russian positions, but stressed that only military sites are being targeted. "Our objective is to degrade Russian combat capabilities, not to harm civilians," he said.
North Korean Troops Reportedly Involved in Fighting
In response to Ukraine’s advance, Russia deployed a massive force of around 70,000 troops, including thousands of North Korean soldiers. Western intelligence sources told the BBC in January that at least 1,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed in the Kursk region over just three months.
Ukraine's hold on the territory has weakened in recent months amid fierce ground battles, drone strikes, and Russia’s bolstered reinforcements.
North Korea to Send More Troops and Workers
Earlier this month, North Korea pledged to send more troops and construction workers to aid Russia’s war effort and help rebuild damaged infrastructure in Kursk, further deepening its controversial military alliance with Moscow.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine’s continued presence inside Russian territory represents a rare and symbolic hold on enemy soil, nearly a year after the surprise operation began.
