The Age of Putin
Atlantic4 days ago
Russia Drives Ukraine Back in Kursk Region, Threatens Encirclement
Above: A Ukrainian soldier walks towards his artillery position in the direction of Niu York, Ukraine, on 5 March 2025. Image copyright: Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
Ahead of US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Russia seemed poised to deprive Ukraine of a potential bargaining chip in any peace negotiations by driving back Ukrainian forces inside the Russian Kursk region.
According to Russia, its forces recaptured seven settlements in the Kursk region over the weekend. While not all the gains were confirmed, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) confirmed that Russian forces have retaken Novaya Sorochina, Malaya Loknya, and Lebedevka in the region.
ISW further confirmed that Russian forces crossed the international border into Ukraine's Sumy region and have taken control of the settlement of Novenke, which Russia's Defense Ministry also claimed to have captured over the weekend.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
With Russia drastically escalating the intensity of attacks on Kursk, Ukraine will soon have to make difficult decisions on what to do in the region. They can either choose to withdraw and save the experienced fighters they have left or continue attempts to hold onto Kursk at the risk of losing everything.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
While fighting in the Kursk region is difficult, the situation remains under Ukrainian control and its forces are destroying large numbers of enemy forces. Kyiv will be able to maintain its hold on the region.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russian forces are systematically driving Ukrainian troops out of Kursk and the Kremlin is confident that it's only a matter of time before the whole region is cleared.