Maps from open sources have shown that Ukraine’s positions in the Kursk oblast have sharply deteriorated, and the day before yesterday reports emerged that Ukrainian forces are nearly encircled by the russians. Sky News writes about this.
The publication refers to pro-russian military bloggers who claimed yesterday that russian forces have begun an assault on Sudzha, the main city of the Kursk oblast, which Ukraine has held since the start of its surprise offensive in August last year.
Security and defense analyst Michael Clarke says that holding Sudzha is crucial for Ukraine to maintain a foothold in the region, which in turn would give it a stronger position in potential peace negotiations with moscow.
"Undoubtedly, the russians want to close this pocket before they are involved in any peace negotiations over territory because if the pocket is still there, they will have to trade it for something", - he said.
It was previously reported that the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the situation in the Kursk oblast remains under the control of command.