KYIV — Ukrainian troops defending captured territory in Russia’s Kursk region are under fierce attack from a Russian counteroffensive that’s building up steam, and commanders will soon have to make a tough choice whether to continue the struggle or withdraw.
If they get the timing wrong, Ukrainian forces risk being be cut off, warn military analysts.
“The Ukrainian command must make a choice. Leave the Kursk region, completing the operation and preserving forces, or hold on, risking losing everything,” according to military analyst Yan Matveyev.
Writing on his Telegram channel, he said the battle has shifted radically in recent days.
“The only real reason to hold onto the Kursk foothold is to use it as a bargaining chip in future negotiations. However, losing a substantial number of experienced troops and advanced equipment in a drawn-out defense could severely weaken Ukraine’s military capacity in other regions,” he noted.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, admitted “difficult battles” are underway. He said Russian assault units are attempting to break through and seize control of an important highway running from Yunakivka in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast to Ukrainian-held Sudzha.
According to DeepStateMap, a reputable interactive online map of the hostilities, Ukrainian-controlled territory has been significantly reduced and risks being shrunk to less than 100 square kilometers and its narrowest point amounting to just a dozen kilometers wide.
https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-attack-force-ukraine-consider-pull-out-kursk/