After two and a half years of fighting on their own soil, Ukrainian forces have continued to advance within Russia as their surprise invasion of the Kursk region enters its third week. Ukraine quickly broke through border defenses and has captured dozens of towns and villages, marking one of the largest territorial changes since the war began. President Volodymyr Zelensky aims to create a buffer zone inside Russia alongside the border and the military is pushing forward despite some resistance. The Ukrainian military has slowed down its advances in Russia, but the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine is gaining momentum, with Russian troops nearing key cities in the region.
Ukraine has targeted bridges across the Seym River in Kursk to trap Russian troops, damaging at least three bridges. Satellite imagery confirms the construction of defenses by Russian forces near Ukrainian positions in Kursk. The Ukrainian military is using U.S.-supplied weapons to strike Russian pontoon bridges and is making gradual progress in Russia.
While Ukraine is gaining ground in Russia, they are facing setbacks in eastern Ukraine as Russian troops near key cities. The Kremlin has resisted diverting troops from eastern Ukraine to Kursk, prioritizing military objectives in Ukraine over a rapid response to the foreign incursion. Military analysts suggest that Ukraine’s invasion of Kursk aims to force Russia to reallocate troops, but the Kremlin has so far not followed suit.
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