Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that its forces had recaptured four settlements in the Kursk region: Malaya Lokhnya, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, Kositsa, and Lebedevka.
Russian forces have also claimed the capture of Novenke in Ukraine’s Sumy region, marking Moscow’s first territorial gain there since the early days of the war in 2022. Additionally, Russian advances in Donetsk have brought troops closer to the Dnipropetrovsk region, an area previously untouched by direct fighting.
Ukrainian and Russian military bloggers are warning that Kyiv’s control over the region is more fragile than ever, as Russian forces continue to launch relentless attacks.
“The lid of the smoking caldron is practically closed,” Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president who is now the deputy chairman of the country’s Security Council, said. “The offensive continues. Carry on!”
According to Forbes correspondent David Axe, a key factor in Russia’s recent success has been the deployment of elite units, including the 177th Marine Regiment, 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, and the 11th Air Assault Brigade.
Additionally, the return of North Korean troops from the 11th Army Corps — which had previously suffered heavy casualties — has reportedly bolstered Russia’s offensive.
Ukraine’s General Staff has insisted that the situation in Kursk remains “challenging but under control.”
However, some Ukrainian commentators have voiced concerns that the incursion may have reached the limits of its strategic value. Prominent Ukrainian blogger Serhii Flesh wrote: “Maybe it’s time to ‘close the shop’ from the Kursk direction. […] As a political bargaining card, it is now questionable.”
The Institute for the Study of War estimated that Ukraine has as many as 30,000 troops stationed in Kursk, and losing the area could allow Russia to redirect manpower toward other key frontlines in eastern Ukraine.
The situation in Ukraine follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials are scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia next week, where discussions are expected to focus on establishing a framework for a ceasefire and potential peace agreement.
