Ukraine’s continued focus on Kursk shows how important Kyiv believes it is to hold on to Russian land, especially if Trump pushes both sides to the negotiating table.

The war in Ukraine's Kursk region has reached a critical point. In his latest address, President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed staggering numbers: nearly 15,000 irreversible Russian casualties and 38,000 total losses in just five months.

Russia said on Monday its forces had made important gains in eastern Ukraine while continuing to fend off a new Ukrainian offensive inside the Kursk region of western Russia, where a second day of fierce fighting was under way.

Five months after their shock offensive into Russia, Ukrainian troops are bloodied and demoralised in the battle for Russia's Kursk region.View on euronews

Ukraine has largely been driven out of Kurakhove, a battered but strategic town in the Donbas, Russia said. Kyiv’s forces were pressing a renewed offensive in southern Russia.

Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces beat back the first Ukrainian attacks on Jan 5. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Russian defence officials claimed Ukrainian troops were urged to surrender after precise strikes on their positions. Paratrooper units targeted Ukrainian command posts, and drones with loudspeakers called for surrenders.

Ukraine hits Russia's infantry brigade command post in Kursk Oblast, military claims ・In historic record, Ukrainian F-16 pilot downs 6 cruise missiles in single mission, Air Force claims ・Trump blames Biden for provoking Russia's war by supporting Ukraine's NATO aspirations ・Ukraine says it holds Kurakhove's western

Ukraine said Tuesday its forces struck a Russian military "command post" in Russia's Kursk region during "combat operations," while backtracking on a claim it had launched a fresh offensive in the border area.

The apparent escalation comes as both sides fight to improve their battlefield positions before Trump returns to the White House.