American officials do not paint a very optimistic scenario for the Armed Forces Ukrainy fighting in the Kursk Oblast. A few months ago, when they entered the territory of the Russian Federation, they systematically occupied new areas – now their offensive has slowed down a bit.
Bloomberg emphasizes that Kyiv lost almost half of the areas occupied in the oblast, and the coming months may worsen the situation.
War in Ukraine. What about the offensive in the Kursk Oblast? Kyiv may be forced to retreat
It was noted that the Ukrainian army is already facing problems such as: shortages of military personnel. There is also uncertainty about the future flow of military aid from United States and other allies, making the situation even more difficult thousands of soldiers North Koreawho join the Russian ranks in the Kursk Oblast.
“In the face of a more concerted effort Moscow in order to push Ukrainian troops out Kurskaprobably taken as early as next month, Kyiv may be able to hold the ground (in the region in Russia – ed.) only until spring, before (Ukrainian soldiers – ed.) are forced to retreat or risk encirclement,” Bloomberg pointed out, citing American officials.
This may be a key battle on the front, as the Ukrainian side hopes to use the territory captured in the Kursk Oblast “as a bargaining chip in any negotiations” with the Russian Federation. President-elect of the USA Donald Trump he declared several times that he wanted to end the war quickly, however Kyiv and Moscow may take monthsto accede to any terms leading to a ceasefire.
Peace talks and fighting in the Kursk Oblast. Moscow has a goal
As we read Vladimir Putin he stressed that stopping the war at this stage, despite a possible guarantee that Ukraine will not be admitted to the EU within a decade or two NATO, “wouldn't be beneficial” for his country.
According to the authors of the publication, because of the advantage Russia on the front, Moscow may have an incentive to delay the talks“to regain as much territory as possible from Ukraine before negotiations and a possible truce.” American officials, commenting on Ukraine's offensive in the Kursk region, emphasized that Kiev has been keeping its forces there longer than expected due to allowing the US to attack with weapons from allies deep into Russia.
They also concluded that Ukraine's goal was not to take over the Kursk Oblast, but to demonstrate its ability to conduct a counteroffensive and reduce the forces of the occupiers. Moreover, officials hope that Volodymyr Zelensky He will order his soldiers to withdraw from Kursk in timeto avoid huge human losses.