Ukrainian Commander Confirms Territory Hold in Kursk Despite Intense Russian Push

Ukrainian military leadership asserts control over a small territory in Kursk, defying claims of total recapture by Russia and highlighting the ongoing conflict dynamics in the region.

Ukraine’s top military official, Oleksandr Syrsky, recently announced that his forces are still defending a section of territory within Russia’s Kursk region, a strategic area they captured during a surprise offensive in August 2024. Despite Russian claims to have regained full control, Syrsky insists that approximately 90 square kilometers (56 square miles) remain under Ukrainian control.

As tensions escalate, the commander reported that around 10,000 Russian troops are actively trying to reclaim this territory. In a recent statement, Syrsky indicated a commitment to intensify military operations against Russian forces, emphasizing that the Ukrainian military focuses strictly on military targets, not civilian populations.

The incursion on August 6, 2024, initially saw Ukraine capture over 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of land in Kursk, which served as a crucial buffer against Russian troop deployments in eastern Ukraine. However, following significant reinforcements from Russia, including thousands of soldiers from North Korea, Ukrainian advances in the region encountered substantial resistance.

Reports indicate that the number of Russian troops operating in the area has surged to roughly 70,000, while heavy drone attacks have pressured Ukrainian defenses. The Ukrainian response to these developments has included strategic withdrawals in recent months, although the presence of North Korean support—estimated at 11,000 troops sent last autumn—has added to the complications faced by Ukraine.

In an effort to restore the damaged infrastructure in Kursk, North Korea has pledged to deploy additional mine-clearing troops and builders, highlighting the ongoing international dimensions of the conflict.