Moscow: Russian forces have recaptured over 800 square kilometers (309 square miles) of territory in the Kursk region from Ukrainian troops, reclaiming approximately 64% of the land Ukraine had taken since its incursion began last year, a senior Russian military official said.
Russian Advancements and Territorial Gains
According to Colonel General Sergei Rudskoi, head of the General Staff’s main operational directorate, Russian forces have been advancing on multiple fronts, forcing Ukrainian troops into a defensive position since February 2024. He credited Russia’s major offensive for the substantial territorial gains.
Rudskoi further stated that Russia now controls 75% of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, along with more than 99% of Luhansk. He reiterated Moscow’s stance that these four regions are legally part of Russia and will not be returned to Ukraine.
“Last year was a turning point in achieving our goals. The Kyiv regime will no longer be able to significantly change the situation on the battlefield,” Rudskoi claimed. “The enemy has largely lost the ability to produce the necessary weapons, equipment, and ammunition. Mobilization is usually forced.”
Geopolitical Implications
Rudskoi suggested that the future course of the conflict no longer depended on Ukraine but rather on whether the West would agree to establish a new European security framework that considers Russia’s interests.
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His comments come amid a significant shift in U.S. policy under former President Donald Trump, who recently labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” and urged him to move quickly to secure peace or risk losing Ukraine altogether. Trump’s remarks have intensified tensions between Kyiv and Washington, raising concerns among European leaders.
Ongoing Conflict and Russian Control
Russia launched its “special military operation” in 2022, marking the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. The war has pitted Russian forces against Ukraine’s Western-backed military, with Moscow steadily increasing its territorial hold.
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In addition to its recent gains, Russia continues to control Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and currently holds nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s total territory.
