On January 6, Ukraine ramped up its offensive in Kursk, with Kyiv reporting significant Russian casualties. Meanwhile, Moscow claimed to have captured a major town in eastern Ukraine. Both countries are vying for strategic advantage before any potential truce talks commence.
The American Institute for the Study of War reported late on January 5 that Ukrainian forces had reignited offensive operations in at least three directions within the Kursk region, resulting in “tactical advances.”
The magnitude of the current offensive and its impact on the front line remain uncertain. However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s position in Kursk for potential peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.
During a visit to Seoul on January 6, Blinken told reporters that Ukraine’s position in Kursk is crucial as it could influence any future negotiations.
Both Ukrainian military agencies and Russian bloggers reported intense combat in Kursk, where Ukrainian troops initially made a surprise incursion on August 6. Since then, they have successfully resisted Russian attempts to fully remove them.
On January 6, Russian military analyst Yan Matveyev told RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service that the new phase of the Kursk operation is likely meant for short-term objectives rather than long-term ones. He explained that Ukrainian forces might be aiming to broaden their foothold before entering negotiations.
Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, reported that there was “good news from the Kursk region” and that Russia was “getting what it deserves.”
Online videos reportedly showed Ukrainian military vehicles speeding across snow-covered terrain in the Kursk region. Pro-Russian accounts on Telegram reported that the attack was carried out with armored vehicles, mine-clearing vehicles, and electronic warfare systems, which are said to have successfully countered Russian drones.
The MIG Rossyy channel reported that the Ukrainian military had achieved “local successes,” describing the operations as a full-scale attempt to attack.
Russian forces, bolstered by thousands of North Korean soldiers, have made advancements but have failed to entirely dislodge Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Russia has suffered heavy losses in the Kursk region, adding that Ukraine’s operation in the region has prevented the deployment of Russian forces to the front line in other regions.
In the lead-up to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, developments in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict have intensified. Trump has previously stated that ending the war in Ukraine would be a priority for his administration.
Keith Kellogg, the incoming Ukraine and Russia envoy for the Trump administration, has been tasked with leading negotiations to end the war. He mentioned that potential cease-fire talks could commence once Trump assumes office.
Blinken did not comment on the actual operations of the Ukrainian troops in Kursk, but he emphasized that Kyiv would need substantial security assurances against Putin in any future peace talks.
With inputs from RFE/RL’s Russian Service.
