Russia announced on Monday that its military had achieved significant progress in eastern Ukraine while simultaneously repelling a new Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region of western Russia, where intense combat continued for a second consecutive day.

The Russian defense ministry reported the capture of the town of Kurakhove, located 32 km (20 miles) south of Pokrovsk, a key logistics center for Ukraine that Russian forces have been targeting for several months.

According to the ministry, the successful takeover of Kurakhove, which had resisted for several weeks, would allow Russian forces to accelerate their operations in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Additionally, they claimed to have taken control of Dachenske, a settlement situated within five miles of Pokrovsk.

The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState, which utilizes open-source data to track the front lines, indicated that most of Kurakhove was now under Russian control. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Khortytsia group reported ongoing Russian assaults on Kurakhove, but Ukrainian forces were actively working to identify and counter these attack groups in that area.

Both sides are striving to enhance their strategic positions ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has expressed intentions to swiftly resolve the nearly three-year conflict by January 20. Over the past five months, Ukraine’s primary achievement has been the capture and retention of a portion of territory within Russia’s Kursk region, which could serve as a crucial leverage point in potential peace negotiations.

Ukraine has not disclosed specifics regarding the new offensive it initiated in Kursk on Sunday, although a high-ranking Ukrainian official remarked that Russia is “receiving what it deserves.” The Russian defense ministry reported that the Ukrainian attempt to break through was thwarted, claiming that the primary Ukrainian force was eliminated near the settlement of Berdin, situated along a road leading northeast toward Kursk. A senior Russian commander indicated that another attack is anticipated.

“This is certainly not the conclusion. We are currently observing a buildup of enemy equipment in a different area, and it is clear that Ukraine will attempt to launch an assault in that direction. At this moment, I will not specify where,” stated Major General Apti Alaudinov, who commands a Chechen unit engaged in the conflict in Kursk.

UKRAINIAN STRATEGY

Independent military analyst Franz-Stefan Gady noted that Ukraine is striving to maintain its foothold in Kursk for as long as possible, even as Russian forces advance further into eastern Ukraine. “It is possible that we have yet to witness the primary phase of this Ukrainian offensive operation,” he told Reuters. “Currently, we are observing platoon-sized and company-sized attacks with relatively modest gains. It is reasonable to assume that several hundred Ukrainian troops are participating in this operation.” Gady also mentioned that it remains uncertain whether Kyiv’s forces can establish another line of advance.

Ukrainian and Western evaluations indicate that approximately 11,000 troops from North Korea, a Russian ally, have been deployed in the Kursk area to bolster Moscow’s military efforts. Russia has not confirmed or denied their involvement. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Monday that over 1,000 North Korean troops have been killed or injured. Reuters lacks access to the war zone in Kursk and cannot verify the casualty figures.

In response to the recent Ukrainian offensive, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have reiterated their commitment to supporting Kyiv. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized in a statement to Reuters, “Ukraine has the right to defend itself, and this right, under international law, extends beyond its borders.” She noted that “Moscow’s unlawful war against Ukraine has involved numerous Russian attacks originating from the Kursk region, making Russian military forces there legitimate targets under international law.”

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated on Sunday, “We are dedicated to ensuring Ukraine is in the strongest possible position on the battlefield, which includes increasing security assistance and utilizing all resources authorized by Congress.” The UK has also pledged to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”