Ukraine's surprise offensive in the Kursk region has resulted in significant gains, with Ukrainian forces reportedly controlling over 1,250 square kilometers of Russian territory and over 92 Russian localities. The offensive has seen the capture of hundreds of Russian soldiers, boosting morale among Ukrainian troops.
President Zelenskyy has called for a complete Russian withdrawal from Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, as a condition for peace negotiations. However, Russia has rejected negotiations, citing the Ukrainian incursion as a barrier to talks.
The offensive has exposed the weaknesses of the Russian military, particularly the use of inexperienced conscripts to defend Kursk. Russia has deployed additional troops in response and has faced drone and shelling attacks in the border region.
The situation in Donetsk remains challenging for Ukraine, with Russian forces continuing to advance towards the city of Pokrovsk. Despite these challenges, Ukraine remains optimistic about the offensive and hopes that it will shift the mood in Russia against the war.
International allies, including the US and Germany, have expressed ongoing support for Ukraine, though the US has maintained restrictions on the use of long-range weapons.
