Ukraine has called on its supporters to change course ahead of an expected Russian counteroffensive in the Russian border region near Kursk.Picture: www.imago-images.de
Ukraine has called on its supporters to change course ahead of an expected Russian counteroffensive in the Russian border region near Kursk. Ukrainian President Zelensky wrote on Telegram that the United States, Britain and Germany must allow the use of long-range weapons they provide to strike targets deep in Russian territory. “This is crucial. Our missiles and drones can strike The farther away it is, the weaker Russia's actual combat capabilities will be.
Two and a half years after Russia's war of aggression began, Ukraine launched a surprise offensive against Kursk in August. Although Russia has since been able to retake some settlements, the frontline has changed little recently. Lacking permission from its Western allies, Ukraine has so far only used combat drones to attack targets on Russian territory.
According to US media reports, Russia has assembled tens of thousands of soldiers in frontline areas, including recently arrived North Korean troops. In the coming days, they should launch a counteroffensive near Kursk. A few days ago, Zelensky said that some of the 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region on the Russian border were involved in fighting with Ukrainian troops.
A few days ago, Zelensky said that some of the 11,000 North Korean soldiers were involved in fighting with Ukrainian troops.Image: trapezoid
Ukraine: 50,000 Russian soldiers trapped near Kursk
Zelensky said that as Ukrainian troops advance toward Kursk, Ukraine is restraining about 50,000 Russian soldiers in frontline areas. These cannot be used for other Russian front-line positions on Ukrainian territory. Attacks on Russian weapons depots also reduced the occupiers' artillery inventories, which was evident in the war zone. The information could not initially be independently verified.
Trump turns Ukraine aid critic into security adviser
At the same time, it is becoming increasingly clear that Ukraine must be prepared to significantly reduce or even end aid to its biggest backer following a change of administration in the United States. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump hinted at the possibility during the campaign, and according to media reports, he now wants Republican Congressman Mike Walz to fill the key position of national security adviser. Walz has called for a reconsideration of U.S. support for Ukraine in Russia's war of aggression.
According to media reports, US President-elect Donald Trump now hopes to fill the important position of national security adviser with Republican Congressman Mike Walz.Image: trapezoid
Last year, he wrote in a Fox News opinion piece targeting the House Republican majority that “the days of Congress handing out blank checks to Ukraine are over.” Among other things, he argued that European countries must make a greater contribution. At the same time, Walz said the United States has the ability to confront Russia and lift restrictions on the use of U.S.-supplied weapons to Ukraine.
During his campaign, Trump declared that he would quickly end the war in Ukraine. He has not yet revealed how he wants to achieve this. Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian leaders worry that U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which its defenders have been able to hold off Russian invaders, could dry up under Trump Make larger conquests.
Borrell: “Ukraine is part of the European family”
Meanwhile, the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell pledged further support for countries affected by attacks during a visit to Kyiv. “We must continue to stand firmly behind Ukraine. Until it prevails,” he wrote on the X platform. “Ukraine is part of the European family.” At a meeting, he promised Zelensky that the goal of delivering 1 million rounds of artillery shells would be achieved by the end of the year.
The EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, pledged further support for countries affected by attacks during a visit to Kyiv.Image: trapezoid
Eastern Ukraine is under pressure
At the same time, Ukraine is facing increasing pressure on the battlefield: Ten other towns in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine have been ordered to evacuate due to the advance of Russian troops. “The enemy is constantly shelling our civilian settlements there,” Governor Oleh Synjehubow said on Ukrainian television, explaining the measure. About 6,500 people have been evacuated since Sept. 10, he said.
The area was liberated in autumn 2022 after five months of occupation as part of Ukraine's counteroffensive. Ukrainian forces have come under increasing pressure in recent weeks due to the increased use of Russian glide bombs in the region.
A disaster threatens the defenders near Kurakhov in eastern Ukraine, according to pro-government Ukrainian military channel Deep State. The city has been surrounded on three sides. Meanwhile, Russian forces are trying to cut off supplies and surround Ukrainian troops stationed there, military experts said. Since the beginning of August, the situation among Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk region has deteriorated rapidly.
The Kiev General Staff announced in an evening situation report that Russian troops launched 125 attacks against Ukrainian defense lines in eastern Ukraine during the day. There were 21 Russian attacks reported in the Kurakhov region. There were 14 fightings “of varying intensity” near Pokrovsk. This information also cannot be independently verified.
Ukraine is expanding drone defenses
Zelensky said in an evening video address that in order to better protect its airspace from Russian attacks, Ukraine's military leadership decided to strengthen existing mobile forces to combat drones. Aerial alerts were issued for several Ukrainian cities late Monday due to a new swarm of Russian drones. (Sudanese Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)
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