Ukrainian Reserve Troops Deployed Near Russia’s Kursk Region

On January 17, 2025, the Russian Ministry of Defence reported that the Russian military had successfully recaptured significant portions of Kursk Oblast, which had previously been under Ukrainian control.

According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the military had regained 63.2 percent of the territory—equivalent to about 801 square kilometers—of Kursk Oblast, which is a total of 1,268 square kilometers.

The Russian army reportedly took back key settlements in the region, including Alexandria, Leonidovo, Russkoye Porechnoye, and Kruglenkoye, all of which had been under Ukrainian occupation.

These advances come after two weeks of intense fighting in January.

Ukraine’s Response: Reinforcements and NATO Equipment

In response to these territorial losses, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have decided to send in reserve units to bolster their positions in the Kursk region.

A commander from the Akhmat unit of special forces, which is part of Ukraine’s armored division, explained that the Ukrainian military is deploying these reserves in an effort to launch a counteroffensive.

This move includes the use of foreign-made infantry fighting vehicles, which the Ukrainian forces are now relying on to support their operations.

The commander emphasized that Ukraine is currently pulling from all available forces and resources to hold its position along the border region.

Despite these reinforcements, the situation has remained difficult for the AFU

. The Russian Ministry of Defence reported that Ukrainian forces had attempted a counterattack earlier in the month, on January 5, but were unsuccessful and suffered heavy losses.

Kursk Oblast: Historical Context and Strategic Importance

Kursk Oblast is a significant region in Russia, both historically and strategically.

Located in the western part of the country, Kursk was the site of one of the most pivotal battles of World War II—the Battle of Kursk, fought from July 5 to August 23, 1943.

It was here that Soviet forces decisively defeated the German army in one of the largest tank battles in history.

The region also has geopolitical importance in the context of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Kursk is bordered by several key Russian regions and the Ukrainian region of Sumy to the west, making it a critical point in the conflict.

The Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline, which remains the last pipeline transporting Russian natural gas to Europe via Ukraine, also runs through the area, underscoring its strategic significance.

Since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukrainian forces briefly crossed into Kursk Oblast in August 2024, resulting in a small section of the region being briefly under Ukrainian control.

The ongoing fighting in this area continues to be part of the broader conflict as both sides vie for control of key territories.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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