JAKARTA - Russia claims its forces are making great progress in the western region of Kursk, accelerating their efforts to expel Ukrainian troops who have controlled parts of Russia since last August.
As reported by Reuters on Tuesday, March 11, the Defense Ministry said Russia had reclaimed dozens of settlements and more than 100 square km (38.6 square miles) of the region in its latest attack, following the worsening of Ukraine's position in recent days.
Yuri Podolyaka, a pro-Moscow military blogger, reported that Russian troops had taken control of the outskirts of Sudzha, near the border with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops withdrew to their own territory. Losing the foothold gained hard at Kursk would be a major blow to Ukraine at a critical time, as US President Donald Trump puts heavy pressure on Kyiv to agree to end the war immediately.
Ukraine's shock fight over a plot of Russian land last August - the first invasion of Russian soil since Nazi Germany attacked in 1941 - gave its troops a major morale boost at the time and dealt a embarrassing blow to President Vladimir Putin and his commanders.
Kyiv hopes to use Kursk as a bargaining chip to regain some of its territory that was captured.
Ukraine's top general on Monday denied Ukrainian troops fighting in Kursk were at risk of being surrounded.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi said the situation was under control, but indicated Ukrainian troops had withdrawn.
"The units are taking timely steps to maneuver into favorable positions for defense," he said.
Ukrainian troops seized 1,300 square km (500 square miles) of Kursk territory in August, storming the border in one of the biggest shocks of the war. In late October, North Korean troops began arriving to join the fighting on the Russian side.
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In mid-February, Russia reclaimed 800 square km (300 square miles) of the Kursk area.
Meanwhile, in recent days, Russia has launched massive attacks by parachuting troops from various directions threatening to cut off Ukraine's supply lines and potential troop withdrawal routes.
Russia's progress in Kursk and inside Ukraine, combined with Trump's changes to the US policy on Ukraine and Russia, has raised concerns that European leaders of Ukraine will lose the war and that Trump is waiting for Europe.
Ukraine on Tuesday launched its biggest drone strike against Moscow and its surrounding regions.
Meanwhile, top Ukrainian diplomats met with their US counterparts in Saudi Arabia to discuss the path to the end of the war.
Trump last week suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, but his position in Kursk had deteriorated by the end of February.
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