The article discusses Ukraine‘s military operation in the Kursk Oblast region of Russia, which ultimately ended in withdrawal. The operation was a gamble by Ukrainian forces to capture and hold territory within Russia, but it was ultimately unsuccessful due to various factors.
According to the article, Ukrainian troops were supported by North Korean soldiers who fought alongside them, but these reinforcements were not enough to secure the gains made by Ukrainian forces. The article quotes Yaroslav, a Ukrainian soldier, as saying that North Korean units were effective in their initial attacks, but they lacked coordination with Russian troops and suffered heavy losses.
Despite the initial successes of Ukrainian forces, the operation was ultimately unsustainable due to logistical challenges and the presence of drone warfare technology used by Russian forces. The article states that Russian forces were able to interdict Ukrainian supply routes using fiber optic cable drones, making it difficult for Ukrainian troops to maintain their position.
The article also highlights the significant losses suffered by Ukraine during the operation, including equipment and personnel. According to estimates, Ukraine lost 790 pieces of equipment compared to Russia’s 740, with many of these losses being armored fighting vehicles, infantry mobility vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and tanks.
Experts interviewed for the article suggest that Ukraine’s military leadership made a short-sighted decision by continuing the operation despite its unsustainable nature. They argue that a more pragmatic approach would have been to withdraw Ukrainian troops earlier on, rather than risking further losses.
The article also touches on the role of North Korean soldiers in the conflict and their relatively low number of casualties compared to Ukraine’s. It quotes Lloyd Austin, then-US Defense Secretary, as saying that over 1,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded during the operation.
Overall, the article provides a nuanced analysis of the Kursk Oblast operation, highlighting both the successes and failures of Ukrainian forces in their attempt to capture and hold territory within Russia.