Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s highest-ranking military officer, said on Wednesday that Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk Oblast have been encircled and are now isolated amid reports that Ukrainian forces have begun to evacuate the Russian region.
Ukraine launched a Western-backed invasion of Kursk last August, but after taking some territory, Russian troops began gradually pushing back the Ukrainians. In recent days, Russia has made a major push and is now rapidly gaining territory in Kursk.
Gerasimov said that in the past five days, Russia had taken control of 24 settlements and 259 square kilometers of territory in Kursk. He also claimed that the Ukrainian military had suffered 67,000 casualties in the Russian oblast.
According to Reuters, both Ukrainian and Russian military bloggers are reporting that Ukrainian forces are withdrawing from the region. “Ukraine’s Armed Forces are leaving Kursk. There will be no Ukrainian soldier there by Friday,” Skadovskyi Defender, a Ukrainian military blogger, wrote on Telegram.
Yaroslav Trofimov, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, wrote on X on Wednesday that after seven months of combat in Kursk, the “Ukrainian forces are withdrawing from the Russian region of Kursk.”
Russia’s gains in Kursk come amid a push from the US to get Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials had previously said that the purpose of the invasion of Kursk, which took forces away from the front in eastern Ukraine, was to gain leverage for negotiations.
POLITICO reported back in September 2025, about a month and a half into the invasion of Kursk, that top Ukrainian military officers urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not to go through with the offensive. One officer objected because the invading brigade would be too exposed inside Russia and would suffer heavy casualties.
So much that Putin visited the local headquarters for the first time.
It doesn't matter that much from a grand strategy viewpoint anyhow, but it's part of the overall "slow but steady" Russian advance.
The purpose of the invasion was to capture the nuclear power plant in Kurchatov. After one week it became obvious that the operation failed. Still Ukrainian-NATO leadership continued sending fresh troops to Kursk oblast which militarily had no sense at all because they put their troops in a vulnerable position. So one more meatgrinder for Ukrainian army was created.
Yesterday Putin ordered the creation of a buffer zone in Sumy oblast. In other words, Putin ordered a counter offensive. Not a long time ago Russian troops already entered Sumy oblast.
Some experts say that Ukraine can stabilize the logistics and keep its foothold in Kursk Oblast if it sends more resources. But others, as well as soldiers on the ground, suggest that the Ukrainian retreat has already begun.
In recent days, Russian forces have destroyed Ukrainian logistics in Kursk Oblast, claimed to capture several settlements, and reportedly entered the key town of Sudzha.
Soldiers on the ground told the Kyiv Independent on March 7 that with “zero logistics” left, some would like to withdraw. Ukraine’s military leadership said on March 10 that there was no threat of encirclement for Ukrainian troops and ordered reinforcements.
"The encirclement is not working so far, and it will not work in the future because the enemy simply does not have enough troops to do it," said retired military officer and defense expert Viktor Kevliukhe. "Ukrainian troops are using very well-built Russian fortifications, well-concealed and fitted for local topography, which would allow them to stay there for a long time," Kevliukhe said.
According to military analyst Ruslan Mykula, "logistics are good in Kursk Oblast — with good roads and enough settlements where Ukrainian troops can reside and build shelters," he told the Kyiv Independent.
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-struggles-to-stay-in-kursk-oblast-until-negotiations-during-russias-new-push/
Viktor Kevliukhe states, "…which would allow them to stay there for a long time."
I disagree. The Ukrainians do not have a long time.
Let's see how this works out for them in about two weeks time.
Let's see you continue to ignore the ICC arrest warrant for Putin.
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Let’s refocus.
That changes nothing w.r.t. outcomes and territorial gains on the battlefield.
Kursk is done. And there will be more to follow since this ceasefire proposal will not be accepted based on Russia’s stipulated conditions.
Resumption of weapon aid and intelligence will have some impact, but there’s no chance of that turning the tide (more like tsunami) of what’s going to hit Ukraine.
Too bad they were advised not to make a deal back in 2022. Would have saved over a 1,000,000 lives.
But we all know the USUK Empire doesn’t give a flying f*ck about those lives.
Just like Putin doesn’t give a flying f*ck about any ICC warrant.
Try to refocus.
You are dumb. And Putin will not stop with invading Ukraine alone.
Too bad that you bullshit like a fascist Trumpanzee.
So, who's next? And if we go by how long Russia has been slogging in Ukraine, we should expect the next "domino" to be invaded by the year 2050 or so.
So, who’s next? Slovakia, Hungary, Romania?
We should expect you to get a clue by the year 2050 or so.
If any nation launches airstrikes against Russia, they should expect retaliation.
They go with the same bs that got over 50,000 American military killed in Vietnam. Old Crook LBJ used that lame-brained logic along with the Gulf of Tonkin lies to get us in there. And, they portrayed Goldwater as the warmonger, also stating that he wasn't going to be sending our boys into another Asian War, during the campaign.
Hmm…I'm dumb?
Let's see now, you display a consistent pattern whereby you repeat OP comments and then proceed to name call, insult and make gross declarations (based on completely incorrect assumptions) on individuals' political leanings.
Your rebuttals are solely reactive, pathetic, and akin to a child's response.
Case in point; you make your post above on the situation in Kursk and provide a narrative that suggests that things aren't that bad for the Ukrainians, that Russian encirclement is ineffective and that Ukrainian forces can maintain a defensive position and stay there for a long time.
It's baffling that someone can actually believe that. So, someone calls that out based on fact and battlefield data and, like a child, you resort to name calling, insults, and proclaim they are fascists, Trump/Putin sympathizers, etc.
A great example to show our kids why it's important to stay in school.
Lastly, and this is directed at other table-thumping, keyboard/meme warriors like you, please outline what your actual opinion is and what your actual predictions are regarding this conflict.
You make bold and repeated statements that Putin is going to take over all of Europe.
Really? How? Based on what?
Your verbal diarrhea makes you sound as dumb as Trump.
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Those arrest warrants are fake. Politically motivated and legally as leaky as a sieve (see above).
Looks like this battle for Kursk is turning out a lot like the last one
I fail to see the resemblance.
The last battle of Kursk lasted a month-and-a-half and was militarily significant.
This battle of Kursk has lasted seven months and has largely been a Ukrainian PR/propaganda operation.
A resemblance that you may have overlooked is this: in both cases the Nazis (original edition and Ukropi wannabes) advanced towards Kursk from the Sumy oblast and after failing to gain their objectives were pushed back beyond their start lines. The wannabe Nazis failure is still a work in process. The time scale differences between the two failures are not important, except to the wannabe Nazis' friends and fans.
Yes, there’s that very mild and superficial resemblance.
But the former was a short major battle while the latter has been a PR stunt that’s way past its 15 minutes. If it had any military value at all for the Ukrainians, that value was in causing some Russian troops and resources to be redirected from the battle for Donetsk. Which could have been accomplished with actions elsewhere.
Its value to the Ukrainian regime has been non-military — it’s embarrassing to the Russian regime to have fighting on its own soil. That’s also the value of e.g. drone strikes on Moscow that do a little damage and cause a little panic.
The Battle of Kursk in 1943 was far more deadly and strategically important for both sides.
At the end of the fighting in Kursk, the German forces had suffered 200,000 casualties and lost 500 tanks, while Soviet losses amounted to 860,000 casualties and 1,500 tanks and it was the last major offensive for the Germans on the Eastern Front.
The numbers are deceptive because the Soviets could "afford" to lose more men and tanks.
"German forces suffered 200,000 casualties ….. Soviet losses amounted to 860,000 casualties"
If you listen to BBC, you may learn that in the current war with Ukraine, Russia already lost one million men while Ukrainian casualties are much lower. Or maybe you think UK historians will count it differently?
Three years ago, according to western experts, Russian economy was in tatters. Now they say NATO needs several years to catch up with Russian military industry.
I think it was Mark Twain who said that there are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics.
POLITICO reported back in September 2025, about a month and a half into the invasion of Kursk, that top Ukrainian military officers urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not to go through with the offensive. One officer objected because the invading brigade would be too exposed inside Russia and would suffer heavy casualties.
Hey, but it got good press and more billions. But just like the counteroffensive, not much thought about the "heavy casualties". Zelensky, like the US, has no problem using Ukrainians as fodder.
All part of the 'Victory Plan'!
All part of the neo-fascist plan to reconstruct the Soviet Union.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/390eaf404b270b43e4f9aa3291c6c3af8a811b52c9e5d0b00adbb04102bf2b27.jpg
No, let’s discuss Zelensky’s Victory Plan.
Or fantasy of ceasefire/peace plan without territorial concessions.
Remember, he demands this, so he must mean business.
Just watch Ukraine shrink even more.
But all of it was really Russia after all.
😉
Let’s discuss the NPT, which Russia violated.
Remember that Putin is a wanted war criminal.
The illegal invasion of Ukraine was really perpetrated by Russia, after all.
Incorrect.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f078d0d517b0dd3292da0bc81ddca45612bf246f6324ed712ee5676d056f4df2.jpg
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RAND Corporation, in Russia' Grand Strategy:
"(…) nor do Russian strategic documents express a plan to recreate the Soviet Union; there are no mentions of imperialist ambitions or doctrinal directives for using military force to achieve dominance over neighbors (…)." (p.29)
Russian stated strategy can generally be considered a reliable predictor of the state’s efforts. (p.170).
That report (which I've critically studied) goes a long way in refuting that Washington propaganda / Ukrainian nationalist propaganda / Eastern European fantasized russophobia and primitive hatred of Russia.
The empty cartridge of “restoring the Soviet Union” is a distortion of a single sentence taken out of context in a passage in president Putins 2005 annual speech to the parliament. Nowhere in the two related speeches of 2004 and 2005 and an explanatory interview in 2005 does Putin ever mention or allude to “restoring the Soviet Union” or whatever other nonsense the Washington propaganda tanks concoct.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cbb1d6195bafe773f995c83e09303c11514f1527ceb147b7186a8f1461b96932.jpg
True. High time for a new counteroffensive this spring.
Putin in Camouflage Visits Kursk as AFU Battles Rage in Sudzha’s Suburbs.
Putin’s military uniform is aimed to project himself as a powerful warlord, say analysts.
According to Russian media, Putin held a meeting at an undisclosed military command post of the Kursk group of troops on Wednesday, March 12. The exact location was not revealed.
State-controlled agencies released footage of Putin dressed in camouflage, listening to a report from General StaffChief Valery Gerasimov.
Putin ordered his forces to "defeat the enemy in the shortest possible time" and to gain full control over Kursk Oblast. He also suggested that Russia should consider establishing a security zone near the state border.
Putin stated that all Ukrainian soldiers captured in the Kursk region should be "treated as terrorists following the laws of Russia."
However, immediately after, he contradicted himself, adding: "We treat all people and must treat them humanely in the future – all who have fallen into our hands."
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/48815
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"Putin’s military uniform is aimed to project himself as a powerful warlord, say analysts." Have these anal-ists had anything to say at any point about the comedian's army-style T-shirts, the Kiev Tuxedo?
Zelensky's military uniform certainly upset the pro-Putin bullies in the White House. Hypocrisy much?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/06b540a3ebdaaee35609ceb86d267e34ed97d184228016ec959ac19306153e53.jpg
Impressive analysis. Those analysts have deep insight.
Yes. Many experts have far more insight than yourself.
Say that again! I would never have realized Putin’s military uniform is aimed to project himself as a powerful warlord.
I would never expect a pro-Kremlin troll like yourself to recognize international law.
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International Law is a hoax.
Wake up.
ROTFL!
Grow up.
Your comments are always more cartoonish than your cartoons.
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Because in the above case, the dumb cartoon stands unchallenged.
Because Russia keeps accidentally dropping bombs on its own people as it struggles to hit intended targets.
Every armed force does that in every war.
Hell, many of them do it in peacetime. I got intentionally shot at by someone other than my own people a handful of times (during Desert Storm). I got shot at by my own people with everything from small arms to heavy machine guns to mortar rounds to TOW anti-tank missiles to Hellfire missiles probably at least 20 times in ten years.
Desert Storm? OMFG! That explains why you have a penchant for war. I hope you enjoyed your military action. You certainly have my contempt.
Fratricide during the illegal invasion of Iraq never happened among my people. However, Australia’s Gen. Jim Molan bears great responsibility for the massacre of civilians during the attack on Fallujah — a flagrant violation of international law.
I’m no longer possessed of a “penchant for war,” in part because of Desert Storm. It’s something I’ve been doing penance for, as best I can, for many years now. And your contempt is your burden, not mine, to bear.
One can only imagine what possessed you to join the military. Operation Desert Storm received international condemnation. Contempt for war crimes is universally accepted. Highway of Death – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_of_Death
I joined the military for similar reasons that other people do — young (17), dumb, wanting money for college, worship of big brother, etc.
There were plenty of war crimes committed in Desert Storm. I committed at least one of them. The “Highway of Death” is not a good example, though.
Sad.
The U.S. has committed more atrocities than any other nation in modern history.
https://github.com/dessalines/essays/blob/main/us_atrocities.md
The Highway of Death is the perfect example of “American Exceptionalism”.
I would never expect a brainwashed Ukrainian to study that case and realize it is politically motivated and legally as leaky as a sieve. I did study the case and wrote a 7 page comment on it. For you, just three points, briefly:
1. The issue of the arrest warrants has been publicly announced, but their contents have been kept secret.
2. Some people guess that the arrest warrants are based on the YHRL report. Bad guess, I think. Because:
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations was established in May 2022 to promote the prosecution of Russian officials. The office funded the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab (YHRL) to produce a report on child accomodation in Russia: Russia’s systematic program for the re-education & adoption of Ukraine’s children.
But that report makes mostly favorable general statements about child accommodation in Russia and provides no evidence of crimes. It cannot form the basis for the ICC arrest warrants, it undermines them.
3. The International Court of Justice of the UN (not to be confused with the ICC) formulates norms for legal proof in international law. Please see
Nicaragua v. United States of America (1986) § 62
United States of America v. Iran (1980) § 13
Uganda v. Congo (2005) § 68.
Information in the affair of ‘abduction and reeducation of the children of Ukraine’ comes nowhere near those norms for proof.
1. Bullshit.
2. Kidnapping is illegal.
3. The International Criminal Court in The Hague prosecutes those accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
4. Rodrigo Duterte in ICC custody.
MAR 09, 2025 Analyzing Trump’s Latest Sanctions Threat Against Russia
Trump surprised friends and foes alike when he posted the following on Friday: “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely 'pounding' Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you.” Few understood how more sanctions could coerce Russia into a ceasefire.
https://open.substack.com/pub/korybko/p/analyzing-trumps-latest-sanctions?r=h5lea&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
https://www.globalresearch.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/A-Russia-sanctions.jpg