(Dan Tri) - A senior Russian military general said that most of the Ukrainian soldiers who entered the Kursk region last year were eliminated from combat.
Russian soldiers fire artillery in Kursk (Photo: Sputnik).
Most of the Ukrainian troops that entered the territory of Russia's Kursk region in August 2024 have been removed, Deputy Head of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces, Commander of the Akhmat Special Operations Forces, Lieutenant General Apty Alaudinov told TASS.
“It should be noted that most of the forces that entered in August have been removed. The Ukrainian army suffered very heavy losses, and these special forces units have largely been withdrawn from the area,” Alaudinov said.
He noted that currently, the majority of Ukrainian forces operating in the Kursk region at this time are units formed from conscripts.
"However, we still periodically record the appearance of other Ukrainian units and special forces. Among them are soldiers from the Foreign Legion. We have encountered and eliminated them," he stressed.
The Russian territory controlled by Ukraine in Kursk has shrunk significantly since the August 6, 2024 invasion, but remains a key card in potential peace talks. Russia now controls about a fifth of Ukraine as the war enters its fourth year on February 24.
Russia is seeking to push Ukrainian forces back from Kursk ahead of potential talks in the near future mediated by US President Donald Trump.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Kiev has lost more than 58,000 soldiers since the fighting in the Kursk region began. Meanwhile, Ukraine said last week that Russia has lost 40,000 soldiers since Kiev began its offensive in Kursk six months ago, with more than 16,000 soldiers killed.
Neither Russia nor Ukraine has commented on the casualty figures announced by the other side. It is difficult for a third party to confirm this information because this could be a psychological warfare campaign.
Although Ukraine argues that the Kursk territory it controls would be an important bargaining chip with Russia in any future peace talks.
However, since launching the attack on Kursk, Ukraine has gradually lost its advantage to the Russian army as Moscow tries to push Kiev's forces away from the border and intensify its attacks on eastern Ukraine. In Donbass, Russia has achieved record momentum in recent times, causing observers to worry that Ukraine could fall into a "burning pot" situation if it cannot maintain the results of the attack in Kursk.
In recent days, Ukraine has launched rapid counterattacks in Kursk. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Moscow has repelled three major counterattacks by Ukrainian armed forces and continued the offensive.
Russian and Ukrainian units launched simultaneous attacks, leading to constant changes in positions. The situation was complicated by the active use of artillery and drones by both sides, turning each battle into a tense confrontation.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-ukraine-da-mat-hau-het-binh-si-trien-khai-toi-kursk-6-thang-truoc-20250210151805746.htm
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