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of smoke rising from buildings that were purportedly struck by
Ukrainian forces, amid their ongoing incursion, in Glushkovo, Kursk
region, Russia August 21, 2024 in this satellite image. 2024 Planet Labs
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Ukraine has lost over 40% of Russia's Kursk region to counter-attacks, Kyiv military source says
KYIV,
Nov 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine has lost over 40% of the territory in
Russia's Kursk region that it seized in a surprise incursion in August
as Russian forces have mounted waves of counter-assaults, a senior
Ukrainian military source said.
The
source, who is on Ukraine's General Staff, said Russia had deployed
59,000 troops to the Kursk region since Kyiv's forces swept in and
advanced swiftly, catching Moscow unprepared 2-1/2 years into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"At
most, we controlled about 1,376 square kilometres (531 square miles),
now of course this territory is smaller. The enemy is increasing its
counterattacks," the source said.
"Now
we control approximately 800 square kilometres (309 square miles). We
will hold this territory for as long as is militarily appropriate."
With
the thrust into Kursk, Kyiv aimed to stem Russian attacks in eastern
and northeastern Ukraine, force Russia to pull back forces gradually
advancing in the east and give Kyiv extra leverage in any future peace
negotiations.
But Russian forces are still advancing in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.
President
Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin's
main objectives were to occupy the entire Donbas, which consists of
Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and oust Ukrainian troops from the Kursk
region.
"For
Putin, the most important thing is to push us out of the Kursk region. I
am sure that he wants to push us out by January 20," Zelenskiy told
media, referring to when Donald Trump will be inaugurated as U.S.
president. "It is very important for him (Putin) to demonstrate that he
is in control of the situation."
The source at the Ukrainian General Staff source reiterated that about
11,000 North Korean troops had arrived in the Kursk region in support of
Russia, but that the bulk of their forces was still finalising their
training.
The
Russian Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters
request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the figures
or descriptions given.
Moscow,
which occupies about a fifth of Ukraine, has not confirmed or denied
the presence of North Korean forces in Kursk region.
RUSSIAN ADVANCE IN EASTERN UKRAINE
The
General Staff source said the Kurakhove region was the most threatening
for Kyiv now as Russian forces were advancing there at 200-300 metres
(yards) a day and had managed to break through in some areas.
The town of Kurakhove is a stepping stone towards the logistical hub of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.
Russia has about 575,000 troops fighting in Ukraine now, the source said, and aims to increase its forces to around 690,000.
Russia does not disclose numbers involved in its fighting. Reuters could not verify those figures.
Ukraine
has sought to disrupt Russian logistics and supply chains by hitting
Russian weapons and ammunition depots, airfields, and other military
targets inside Russia.
After
U.S. President Joe Biden allowed Kyiv to fire U.S.-supplied missiles at
targets deep inside Russia, Ukraine last week fired U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia.
On Thursday, Russia launched a new medium-range ballistic missile into the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, in a likely warning to NATO.
Ukrainian
officials are holding talks with the United States and Britain on new
air defence systems capable of protecting Ukrainian cities and civilians
from the new longer-range aerial threats.
The
Ukrainian General Staff source said the military had implemented
measures to bolster air defences over Kyiv and planned similar steps for
Sumy in the north and Kharkiv in the northeast.
Reporting by Olena Harmash; editing by Mark Heinrich and Timothy Heritage