Ukrainian Forces Launch Surprise Offensive in Russia's Kursk Region

Ukrainian forces launched a surprise offensive in Russia's Kursk region on Sunday, aiming to regain the initiative before Donald Trump's return to the White House. Video footage showed Ukrainian armored columns advancing towards Bolshoe Soldatskoe, with reports of fierce fighting and Ukrainian troops entering Russian hamlets.

This operation follows a previous cross-border raid into Kursk, marking the first time enemy tanks had penetrated Russian territory since World War II. While Russia has recaptured some lost territory, they have been unable to fully expel Ukrainian forces.

The offensive comes ahead of potential "peace" negotiations later this year, with Zelenskyy hinting that land around Kursk could be part of a deal. However, Moscow has shown little willingness to stop fighting, with Putin maintaining his territorial demands.

Inside Ukraine, Russia is advancing at its fastest rate since the 2022 invasion, attempting to flank Pokrovsk in Donetsk oblast. The latest Kursk raid was facilitated by freezing weather, with reports of US-supplied Bradley fighting vehicles being deployed.

There has been some criticism of Ukraine's counter-invasion, but commander in chief Syrskyi defended his tactics, stating that the operation has forced Russia to maintain a large force on its own territory and transfer reserves from other directions. He also claimed that Moscow has lost 38,000 personnel and over a thousand pieces of equipment.

Reports suggest that North Korean combat groups have been deployed to several frontline villages, with Zelenskyy reporting that up to a battalion of North Korean soldiers were killed in just two days.