Ukrainian Military Claims More Territory Gained in Russia than Taken by Putin’s Troops in 2023

• Ukraine claims to have taken control of 1,263 square kilometers of Russian territory during the recent invasion of the Kursk region.
• This area exceeds the total land controlled by Russia in Ukraine since the beginning of the year.
• While Ukraine’s advance has slowed, operations continue with some territorial gains.

Recent reports from Ukraine’s military indicate significant territorial acquisitions in the Kursk region following a surprise incursion that began on August 6. Ukrainian forces have captured approximately 1,263 square kilometers—roughly 488 square miles—of Russian territory, along with 93 settlements. This advancement in Kursk represents more land than Russian forces have seized in Ukraine since the start of 2023, signifying a notable shift in the conflict.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian military, revealed these details during a briefing with lawmakers. He stated that Ukrainian troops have penetrated between 28 to 35 kilometers (around 17 to 22 miles) into Russian territory in the Kursk region. Initial reports from the first week indicated that during the early stages of the operation, approximately 1,000 square kilometers and 74 settlements had been secured.

Analysts have not yet been able to independently verify Syrskyi’s claims regarding the territory gained, but they suggest that the reported acquisitions surpass the total area that Russian forces have captured throughout this year. According to Mitch Belcher, a geospatial analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, as of August 11, Russian troops occupied about 109,338 square kilometers of Ukrainian land, which now includes an additional 78 square kilometers gained since that date. Current estimates put Russian-held territory at 109,416 square kilometers.

The recent engagement in Kursk has shown that Russian forces have only captured around 1,253 square kilometers in Ukraine throughout 2023, leaving them with less ground than Ukraine reportedly took during the recent invasion. This unexpected maneuver has generated shockwaves in both Moscow and among Kyiv’s allies, including the US, which had not been briefed on Ukraine’s operation prior to its execution.

In response, Moscow appears to be scrambling to adapt, having redirected some military units from ongoing operations in Ukraine to reinforce their presence in Kursk. Ukrainian forces have provided footage of targeted airstrikes on critical Russian infrastructure, including bridges and control centers, signaling an expanded use of airpower in their operations.

Syrskyi mentioned that the primary objective of the operation in Kursk is to establish a “security zone” aimed at preventing Russia from launching attacks against Ukraine from the region. This objective aligns with statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who emphasized that the focus of the Kursk assault is to create a protective buffer on Russian territory.

As the situation develops, the implications of Ukraine’s advance into Russian land remain to be fully realized, both on the battlefield and in the broader geopolitical context of the ongoing conflict.

Source: Business Insider