New Ukrainian offensive in Kursk as Trump’s return to the White House approaches. Putin promises a firm response from Russia. What impact on the continuation of the conflict? The details.
As Donald Trump’s return to the White House fast approaches, Ukraine has just launched a new surprise offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. This audacious attack comes five months after a first Ukrainian incursion into this border area, which had already taken Russian forces by surprise in August 2024. Faced with this situation, President Vladimir Putin promised a response worthy of the provocation.
A Ukrainian counterattack that disrupts Russian plans
According to a statement from the Russian army, Ukrainian troops launched their assault around 9:00 a.m. local time this Sunday, aiming to stop the Russian advance in the Kursk region. kyiv had already controlled several hundred square kilometers in this area since August 2024, following a lightning offensive. Although Ukraine has not yet officially confirmed this new operation, an official of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andriï Iermak, suggested on Telegram that Russia “gets what it deserves.”
According to Moscow, the Ukrainian assault group was defeated by Russian artillery and aviation, which are currently continuing to destroy enemy units. However, some generally well-informed Russian military bloggers report that Ukrainian forces are trying to take control of the small town of Berdine, located about 20 km from the border. They also point to Ukraine’s increasing use of electronic warfare equipment disrupting Russian drones.
Trump returns, kyiv picks up the pace
This surprise offensive comes at a pivotal moment, as Donald Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office on January 20. The Republican, described as “unpredictable”, called for an immediate ceasefire and promised to quickly obtain a peace agreement, without detailing his plan. He also said he was opposed to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory using American ATACMS missiles.
kyiv therefore fears a drastic reduction in vital support from the United States and that Trump will force Ukraine to make concessions to Putin. By launching this attack in Kursk, the Ukrainians are probably seeking to strengthen their position before possible negotiations, as during the previous offensive in August 2024.
-Putin promises a response to match
Faced with this new incursion, Vladimir Putin, who appeared annoyed on Russian television last August after the first Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, once again called on his troops to push the enemy out of Russia. He vowed that “the enemy will certainly receive a response worthy of the name,” promising a major counterattack.
Moscow can count on the support of thousands of North Korean soldiers deployed in the area according to kyiv and the West. It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to stem the Ukrainian counter-offensive and allow Russian forces to continue their advance on the eastern front, where they have been advancing since the fall at a pace not seen since March 2022.
Ukraine determined to keep a foothold in Russia
Although Ukrainian troops have had to give ground in Kursk since their peak breakthrough in August 2024, kyiv appears determined to maintain pressure on Russian soil. At the end of November, a high-ranking source in the Ukrainian general staff stressed that Ukraine would remain in the region “as long as it is of interest”, still controlling around 800 km2 compared to nearly 1,400 km2 at the height of the conflict. offensive.
This strategy is clearly aimed at forcing Russia to redeploy troops from the main front to this border area, thereby disrupting its plans. Even if the expected effect has not been as significant as hoped so far, Ukraine does not intend to relax its efforts, especially as a potential shift in the American position approaches with the return of Trump. in power.
The next few weeks therefore promise to be crucial on the different fronts of this conflict which has now lasted for almost two years. Between the Kursk offensive, the possible reduction in American support and the determination displayed by Putin, the cards could well be reshuffled. One thing is certain, the outcome of the war is more uncertain than ever.
