Russian president's order to reclaim Kursk territory by 20 January signals mounting pressure on Russian forces as Ukraine’s gains expose vulnerabilities in Moscow’s defenses.
The real objectives of Ukraine's incursion into Kursk remain undisclosed, but the likely main goals include diverting Russians from critical fronts and capturing territories to use as leverage in future negotiations with Russia.
Local social media channels in Kursk are flooded with posts from residents seeking to locate and evacuate relatives from settlements that have lost all communication and electricity. This coincides with reports of Ukrainian military presence in the area, with reinforcements continuing to arrive.