Ukrainian army's retreat from Kursk will trigger Russian offensive

This is reported by The Washington Post.

Ukraine's constant focus on the Kursk region underscores the strategic importance of holding this area for Kyiv. This becomes especially relevant ahead of the inauguration of newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump, which may increase pressure on both sides to negotiate, the newspaper explains.

Ukrainian officials have also warned that if their troops were to retreat back across the border, the 60,000 troops Kyiv says Russia has deployed would follow them into Ukraine and occupy more land.

“There is a clear incentive for Ukraine to try to retain Kursk for as long as possible, so it makes sense to conduct small-scale operations to improve their positions so they can retain it longer … and try to demonstrate that they still have offensive options in this war,” said Michael Kofman, a military analyst at the Virginia-based Center for Naval Analyses.

At the same time, Russia aims to regain control over the Kursk region while maintaining significant forces in the east, The Washington Post adds.

• On January 6, the General Staff reported that since the start of the Kursk operation, the Russian army has lost 38,000 soldiers (killed and wounded). Ukrainian Defense Forces have also captured 860 occupiers.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine's operation in the Kursk region is not aimed at occupying Russian territories but at ensuring its own security.