The Ukrainian forces continue to hold positions in the Kursk region of Russia
This is reported by Kyiv24
Today marks a year since the beginning of the large-scale Kursk operation, during which the Armed Forces of Ukraine first transferred combat operations directly onto the territory of the Russian Federation. During this period, the operation significantly influenced the course of the war and the distribution of forces on the front.
Key Achievements and Enemy Losses
According to the General Staff, at the peak of the offensive, Ukrainian troops controlled up to 1300 square kilometers in the Kursk region. Such actions forced the Russian command to redeploy significant reserves to this direction, which weakened their pressure on other sections of the front. The staff notes that thanks to the coordinated actions of the defenders, the enemy was unable to implement its own offensive plans, and the created buffer zone allowed for the preservation of control over Sumy and Kharkiv.
“August 6 is a significant date in the military history of our state. On this day in 2024, the Kursk offensive operation of the Defense Forces of Ukraine began, which first transferred the full-scale war onto the territory of the aggressor country,” the statement reads.
Throughout the year, Ukrainian forces inflicted significant losses on the enemy. According to estimates from the General Staff, the Russian army lost over 77,000 soldiers killed and wounded, among whom nearly 4,000 were citizens of North Korea. A total of 7236 units of equipment were destroyed or damaged, including 211 tanks, 1083 armored fighting vehicles, 907 artillery systems, one aircraft, three helicopters, 15 air defense systems, and 2795 vehicles.
Humanitarian Outcomes and Current Situation
The military also emphasizes the humanitarian aspect of the operation: 1018 Russian prisoners of war have replenished the exchange fund, which has already allowed for the return of hundreds of Ukrainian defenders, some of whom had been in captivity since 2022.
The General Staff also added that Russian troops were only able to partially regain lost positions after significantly reinforcing their group, involving North Korean units, and actively using guided aerial bombs specifically in the Kursk direction.
“The offensive operation in Kursk has achieved most of the objectives set by the higher leadership of the state. As of today, Ukrainian forces maintain a presence in the territory of the Glushkovsky district of the Kursk region, restraining part of the Russian offensive group,” assured the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.