How Ukraine can use Kursk region: an expert’s explanation

Ukraine’s leadership has not yet determined how it can utilize Russia’s Kursk region. However, holding territory in this region is considered even more of a priority than maintaining control over areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

This opinion was expressed by Dmytro Zhmailo, co-founder and executive director of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, during a broadcast on Kyiv24.

Zhmailo explained the importance of Ukrainian control over Kursk region.

"There is no clear understanding of how we can use Kursk region - not among our top military and political leadership, not among the Russians, and not in Trump’s newly elected administration - that is 100% certain. Holding territory in Kursk region is an even higher priority than retaining our lands in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Because if we control even one square kilometer of sovereign Russian territory, it will always serve as proof of Russia’s weakness, showing that it could not handle Ukraine’s Defense Forces on its own and is now forced to involve North Korean support," Zhmailo explained.

At the same time, he noted that Ukraine’s ability to retain 80% of its territory with very limited assistance from the entire civilized world is a testament to its resilience.

According to the expert, the West believes that all conditions are now in place for a possible ceasefire.

"Despite the sluggish Russian advance on the front, which, fortunately, our Western partners do not fully see, the global Western community is convinced - and Russia is actively trying to counter this belief - that the war has reached a stalemate. And that, in fact, all the conditions for a possible ceasefire now supposedly exist," the expert said.

Zhmailo estimates that Ukrainian forces currently control between 450 and 500 square kilometers in Kursk region. Additionally, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have advanced northeast of Cherkaska Konopelka, where they have regained control. Ukrainian troops have also captured two more settlements, including Fansiivka, where Russian forces are now struggling to reorganize their offensive capabilities.

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