The Ukrainian president stated that Moscow aims to establish a 10-km (6 miles) "buffer zone" inside Ukrainian territory, though he expressed doubt about Russian capabilities to achieve this strategic objective.
As Russia ramps up threats of new invasions, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry says such a zone could just as well exist inside Russia, referencing Ukraine’s operations in Kursk Oblast.
Over six months, Russian losses include 16,000 killed, while 4,000 casualties among a 12,000-strong North Korean contingent led to their withdrawal from the Kursk frontlines.
The Kremlin has revised the timeline for its Kursk Oblast operation to 1 February 2025, deploying 40,000 troops and planning to establish a buffer zone within Ukrainian territory by 25 February.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a key objective of the recent Kursk offensive is to increase Ukraine's "exchange fund" of Russian prisoners of war. An unnamed Ukrainian colonel told the Independent that the number could be as high as 2,000 POWs.