Russia has reportedly pulled a small number of troops from southern Ukraine back into its own territory to reinforce defenses in the Kursk region, according to a Ukrainian official. This move comes as Ukrainian forces have made significant advances, reclaiming dozens of settlements and large areas in the Kursk and Belgorod regions of southern Russia, leading to what has been described as scrambling within Moscow.
Dmytro Lykhoviy, a spokesman for the Ukrainian army, stated that units have been relocated from the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in Ukraine to counter the Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory. However, despite these withdrawals, Russian forces have continued their offensive operations in other parts of Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region, where fighting remains intense.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas also mentioned that Russian troops have been spotted leaving the Kaliningrad region, further indicating a redeployment of Russian forces in response to Ukrainian advances.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces are making progress in the Kursk region, with 74 communities now under Ukrainian control. The incursion has boosted morale in Ukraine, which has been enduring the impacts of the ongoing conflict for over two years, and has also reinforced support from Western allies who wish to see Kyiv regain the initiative on the battlefield.
In Moscow, there has been criticism from Putin’s allies regarding the Russian military’s preparedness, with some pointing to a lack of timely intelligence sharing as a factor in the effectiveness of the Ukrainian offensive. Despite the redeployment of some units, Russian forces continue to launch attacks across the front lines in Ukraine, raising questions about whether these movements are strategic adjustments or part of a broader tactic to counter Ukrainian gains.
