War in Ukraine: the Russian army claims the capture of the mining town of Kurakhove, kyiv maintains pressure near Kursk

Russia said on Monday it had made a significant advance in eastern Ukraine as its forces continue to repel a major Ukrainian attack in the Kursk region of Russiaaccording to Russian military bloggers. The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces had captured the town of Kurakhovelocated 32 km south of Pokrovsk in Donbass, an important Ukrainian logistics center towards which Russia has been progressing for several months. This mining town is home to a power station.

The capture of Kurakhove will allow Russian forces to accelerate the pace of their advance in the Ukrainian region of Donetsksaid the ministry. At the same time, Russian military bloggers reported that Ukraine was attacking for the second day in a row in Russia's Kursk region, with one calling the situation worrying.

Ukraine launched a new offensive against this region where its forces crossed the border on August 6 and have since managed to retain part of the territory. The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces repelled the first Ukrainian attacks on Sunday, just north of a highway leading to the regional capital, Kursk. But Russian military bloggers, a group of war correspondents and experts who support Moscow's offensive while often criticizing its shortcomings, made clear that fierce fighting continued for a second day. “The morning in the Kursk region begins again in an ominous manner. It is obvious that yesterday's failure will not stop the enemy and that he will try to impose his will on us again today”posted a blogger, Youri Podoliaka, on Telegram.

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War in Ukraine: to everyone's surprise, the Ukrainians launch a counter-offensive in Kursk and try to recover Russian territories

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Russia controls around a fifth of Ukrainian territory after almost three years of war, but Ukraine's unexpected offensive in the Kursk region could strengthen its position in possible peace negotiations. Both sides are working to improve their positions on the ground before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. The latter has repeatedly said that he will quickly end the war, without specifying how.