Russia's expulsion of Ukrainian forces from Kursk removes hurdle to peace

 

Russia Expels Ukrainian Forces from Kursk, Removing Obstacle to Peace Talks

Russia has pushed Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region, ending the largest incursion into its territory since World War Two. The move eliminates a key obstacle to a potential peace agreement, which Moscow had resisted while foreign troops remained on its soil.

A day after announcing the completion of operations in Kursk, President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s World War Two victory.

Analysts suggest that Russia’s recent military gains in eastern Ukraine were accelerated by Ukraine’s diversion of forces to the Kursk offensive.

"Essentially, Ukraine traded its own critical territory for one it couldn't hold long-term," said Christopher McCallion of Defense Priorities, a Washington-based think tank promoting a strong but restrained U.S. military presence.

While Ukraine continues to claim limited presence in Kursk, it asserts that the incursion succeeded in diverting Russian troops from the eastern front. Kyiv also aimed to protect its Sumy border region and gain territory that could potentially be exchanged in future negotiations.

Those talks, facilitated by Washington's diplomatic efforts, have now begun — but without the leverage Ukraine had hoped to gain from Kursk. Major disagreements remain that could derail the peace process backed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Should talks collapse, one source warned, Russia will resume its military campaign.

The Kremlin declined to comment. Ukraine's general staff rejected claims that hostilities in Kursk had ended, insisting defensive operations there are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Russia has intensified strikes in Sumy, which borders Kursk. On April 14, a Russian missile strike killed 35 people in Sumy’s capital. Moscow said it was targeting Ukrainian troops.

Despite debate over the value of the Kursk offensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Ukrainian activity across the border in Russia's Belgorod region, describing it as a defensive operation to safeguard nearby Ukrainian towns.

Russia currently holds slivers of land in Kharkiv, just across from Belgorod. Under U.S. peace proposals, Ukraine could regain full control of Kharkiv, while Russia would retain nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

The Kursk Campaign

The Ukrainian push into Kursk, the site of the largest tank battle in history during 1943, was a political embarrassment for the Kremlin. The announcement of victory over Ukrainian forces comes just ahead of Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations, where Putin is expected to showcase the win to international guests, including China’s Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Despite prior warnings, Russian forces were caught off guard by the assault. Russian civilians fled eastward as border guards and troops scrambled to stop small, mobile Ukrainian units using Western-supplied vehicles and arms.

Roughly 120,000 people were evacuated. A visibly angry Putin was seen publicly reprimanding Kursk's then-governor, Alexei Smirnov, who was arrested in April for allegedly misusing defense funds — allegations he denies.

When Reuters visited Kursk in March, military activity was extensive. Tanks, missile systems, and thousands of troops filled the region, while residents described their fear of drone and missile attacks amid ongoing sirens.

North Korean troops and munitions played a role in bolstering Russia’s response. Putin personally thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for his country's support.

Russia’s defense ministry claims Ukraine suffered over 76,000 dead and injured and lost more than 412 tanks and thousands of other vehicles. Ukraine counters that Russian losses exceeded 62,000. Neither side has released verified casualty figures, and Reuters could not independently confirm the data.

Turning the Tide

In August, as Ukrainian forces tried to expand their presence in Kursk, Russia deployed reinforcements to halt their advance and protect the nearby Kurchatov nuclear power plant — a major energy source for southern Russia.

The front line stabilized within a month, enabling Russian forces to launch a counteroffensive.

"There were probably some very embarrassed Russian generals, but the Ukrainian push was chaotic — just mental, frankly," said David J. Betz, a professor at King's College London.

"Russia doesn’t have the geographic advantages of other nations, so it has always relied on manpower and space to defend itself," he added.

Russian forces gradually wore down Ukrainian defenses, aided by the use of fiber-optic drones, which are harder to jam. By early February, Ukraine’s control in the region had shrunk to 428 square kilometers, according to Ukrainian maps.

On the war’s third anniversary, Putin visited Kursk in military gear and ordered continued offensives. He also called for the establishment of a buffer zone along the Ukrainian border.

In March, Ukraine lost over 300 square kilometers in Kursk. On Sunday, Russian General Valery Gerasimov informed Putin that Ukrainian forces had been fully expelled from the region, with the final units cleared from the village of Gornal.

Gerasimov reported that Ukraine had deployed up to 60,000 troops in the area, weakening its presence elsewhere. He praised North Korean soldiers for fighting "shoulder to shoulder" with Russian forces.

Following Putin’s directives, Russian forces have continued pushing into Ukraine's Sumy region, capturing an additional 90 square kilometers. Ukrainian authorities have confirmed the presence of Russian assault units in the area.