Ukraine reports heavy losses for Russian troops in the Kursk invasion. Zelenskyj congratulates Trump on his election victory and hopes for future support from the USA. All information in the news blog.
12.50 p.m.: According to Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian troops lost 7,905 soldiers, 12,220 others were injured and 717 were taken prisoner during the nearly three-month-long Kursk invasion. Syrskyi said on
The Ukrainian operation, which began in early August, was intended to prevent Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory and divert Russian forces from the heavily contested Donbas region. According to Syrskyi, Russia has now concentrated 45,000 soldiers in Kursk and has also sent thousands of North Korean soldiers who have already clashed with Ukrainian troops in smaller battles.
10:29 a.m.: According to the government in Moscow, Russian troops have taken control of two more settlements. According to Russian news agencies, the Defense Ministry said these were the towns of Maksymivka and Antonivka. Russian troops have been advancing steadily in Ukraine for some time.
10:03 a.m.: Russia’s upper house has unanimously ratified a military assistance pact with North Korea that President Putin signed with Kim Jong Un during a visit to Pyongyang in June. The agreement obliges both countries to support each other militarily in the event of an attack and to coordinate their positions against Western sanctions and at the United Nations. Putin traveled to North Korea for the first time in 24 years in the summer. Kim calls the Russian leader his “best comrade.”
9.35 a.m.: Even before the official election results were announced, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Republican candidate Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election. “I congratulate Donald Trump on this impressive election victory!” wrote the Ukrainian on Platform X. He welcomed Trump’s support for the “peace through strength” approach.
8:58 a.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s close ally Dmitry Medvedev describes Trump’s emerging victory as a setback for Ukraine and good news for Russia. “Trump has a useful trait for us: he is a businessman through and through and he deeply hates spending his money on various entourages and stupid fellow travelers, on bad charity projects and on greedy international organizations,” writes the deputy head of the Russian Security Council on Telegram.
Interview: A Conversation on the Kursk Invasion and its Implications
Editor (Time.news): Welcome to Time.news, where we dive deep into the latest major world events. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with military analyst Dr. Maria Ivanova, who specializes in Eastern European conflicts. Dr. Ivanova, thank you for joining us today.
Dr. Ivanova: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s start with the recent casualties reported by Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi during the Kursk invasion. He indicated that Russian troops have sustained significant losses—nearly 8,000 soldiers killed and over 12,000 injured. What does this tell you about the current state of the Russian military?
Dr. Ivanova: These numbers are indeed staggering. The fact that Russia has experienced such heavy casualties indicates several things. First, it suggests that Ukrainian forces have been effective in their defensive operations. Second, it reveals potential issues within the Russian military structure—such as morale, training, or supply problems—especially if they are sustaining such losses in what is one of their primary strategic operations.
Editor: On that note, the Russian government has announced that they’ve made advances by taking control of two more settlements, Maksymivka and Antonivka. How do you reconcile that with the reported losses?
Dr. Ivanova: That’s an interesting juxtaposition. It appears that despite the significant losses, the Russian military is still pursuing territorial gains. This could indicate a strategy of attrition. Russia might expect to absorb losses while holding on to the territories they capture. However, we’ll have to see whether these advances can be maintained in the long term, especially with the influx of North Korean troops potentially complicating the dynamics on the ground.
Editor: Speaking of North Korean forces clashing with Ukrainian troops, what are your thoughts on North Korea’s involvement in this conflict?
Dr. Ivanova: North Korea’s involvement is a game changer. It signifies a much deeper alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang. This alliance could present new challenges for Ukraine, particularly as North Korean troops may not adhere to the same standards or tactics as regular Russian forces, which could disrupt established operational norms. The implications of this partnership could alter the battlefield landscape significantly.
Editor: Let’s switch gears for a moment. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy recently took the opportunity to congratulate Donald Trump on his election victory. What are the implications of this gesture, given the current geopolitical climate?
Dr. Ivanova: Zelenskyy’s gesture can be interpreted as a strategic move. By engaging with a high-profile figure like Trump, he is likely seeking to secure future support from the United States. Regardless of changing administrations, maintaining strong ties with American leadership is crucial for Ukraine, particularly in terms of military aid and political backing. It reflects Ukraine’s awareness of the importance of U.S. support in its continued resistance against Russian aggression.
Editor: Very insightful, Dr. Ivanova. As these developments unfold, what are the possible scenarios we might see in the near future regarding the conflict?
Dr. Ivanova: There are several potential scenarios. If Ukrainian forces continue to staunchly defend their positions, we could see a stalemate, which could lead to a protracted conflict. Conversely, if losses contribute to waning morale among Russian troops, a significant shift might occur in their operational capabilities. Alternatively, should Russian forces stabilize their supply lines and consolidate their presence, we could see intensified offensives in contested regions like Donbas or even broader strategic offensives. The coming weeks and months are crucial.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ivanova, for your expertise and the valuable insights you’ve shared today. It promises to be an intense period ahead, and your analysis helps us better understand these developments.
Dr. Ivanova: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue to analyze the situation closely as it evolves.
Editor: Absolutely. We’ll be sure to keep our audience informed with updates as the situation develops. Thank you, everyone, for tuning in to Time.news.