After three weeks of clashes, Russia continues to face challenges in pushing Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region. This has been a relatively slow and subdued response to Russia’s first territorial occupation since World War II. The difficulty lies in Russia’s lack of manpower and its strategic priorities.
President Vladimir Putin’s focus remains on securing full control of annexed Ukrainian regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Putin aims to force Kyiv to withdraw troops from these areas as a precondition for peace talks, a demand that Ukraine rejects.
Despite Ukrainian forces making advances into Kursk, Russian troops are primarily concentrated on the Donetsk region, where they are gradually progressing. Russia is prioritizing the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk, as it is heavily fortified by Ukrainian forces, while other areas in Donetsk under Ukrainian control are less protected and vulnerable.
Russia’s response to Ukraine’s actions in Kursk has been moderate, with efforts focused on preventing deeper Ukrainian advances through road closures and targeting Kyiv’s reserves. The Kremlin has refrained from broad military mobilization, as seen during a previous public backlash.
Challenges for Ukraine include potential overextension by diverting forces to Kursk, which could strain its capabilities against the larger Russian military. Creating a presence in Kursk also poses logistical challenges for Ukraine, with extended supply lines becoming exposed targets.
The situation remains fluid, with observers noting Russia’s limitations in resources and Ukraine’s strategic disruptions such as destroying bridges across the Seym River to impede Russian logistics. The outcome will depend on how both sides adapt to the evolving conflict in the Kursk region.
