Russia Plans to Retake Lost Territory in Ukraine
NATO allies believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to take back territory lost by Ukraine in the Kursk area before Donald Trump’s inauguration. A British defense intelligence assessment warns of an increase in kamikaze drone strikes on Ukrainian positions.
Ukraine’s Commander in Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that Russia has sent 50,000 troops to the area, including soldiers from North Korea. This raises concerns about a significant escalation of the war. The Kremlin may be trying to build momentum for a larger offensive in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy Oblast.
Analysts note that Russia has already reclaimed half of the territory lost during its Kursk incursion, which began early August. Western diplomats warn that Putin could be moving quickly to seize territory before Trump takes office, in order to gain leverage for future peace negotiations.
The UK and France are working together to help Ukraine prepare for winter’s challenges. President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed Trump’s victory and urged the incoming president to maintain military support for Ukraine over the next few months.
In a related matter, a British intelligence assessment suggests that Russia is using new launch sites near its border with Ukraine to intensify kamikaze drone strikes on Ukrainian positions. This development adds to concerns about a significant escalation of the war in Ukraine.