kyiv seems to be seeking to “regain the initiative on the battlefield before Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House”note the Guardian.
Russia claimed on Sunday January 5 to repel a surprise Ukrainian offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk, where kyiv’s forces already control several hundred square kilometers since a first unexpected assault in August 2024. According to the GuardianUkrainian officials also confirmed that a major operation was underway. “ Kursk region, good news. Russia gets what it deserves »declared in particular the chead of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andriï Iermak, in a message broadcast a message on Telegram.
The Guardian also viewed a video showing Ukrainian armored columns advancing through snow-covered fields towards the village of Bolshoye Soldatskoye, northeast of the Ukrainian-held Russian town of Sudja. “The main objective is to take control of the Kursk road”underlines the Belgian daily The Echo.
For some Ukrainian and Western military analysts, the new offensive in this region could “being an attempt to feint”, “aimed at forcing Russian troops to strengthen their defenses” in Kursk “in the hope of weakening them on the front line on Ukrainian territory”underlines the New York Times.
For Zelensky, Kursk could play a role in negotiations
One of the others “possible reasons for kyiv’s entry into Russia” is that Ukraine is seeking “to improve its positioning in anticipation of possible future negotiations” with Russia, note on his side CNN.
Sunday’s operation comes two weeks before Trump returns to the White House on January 20 and the launch of possible negotiations for “peace” this year, remember Guardian. Or “Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently hinted that the territory around Kursk could play a role in a peace deal”notes the British daily.
In an interview given in December to American podcaster Lex Fridman and broadcast on Sunday, the Ukrainian president was very complimentary of the future American president, affirming that he “really count on him” to end the war. “He has enough power to put pressure on […] Poutine”insisted the Ukrainian president. He also said he wanted to meet the future tenant of the White House to agree on a peace plan before any negotiations with Vladimir Putin.
Swiss
