10,000 Ukrainian troops risk encirclement in Russia's Kursk
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Russia announced in January that Ukrainian forces had launched a counteroffensive in the border region of Kursk, which has been a focal point since Kiev initiated a ground offensive last August.
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A Ukrainian soldier sits in a shelter on his position near the Donetsk on March 3, 2025. (AP)
Around 10,000 Ukrainian army members are at risk of being encircled in Russia's Kursk Region, The Telegraph newspaper has revealed.
According to the publication, Russian soldiers burst through the front line and moved from two sides toward a major supply corridor, putting Ukrainian forces at risk of being encircled.
An unidentified Ukrainian soldier told the publication that the Ukrainian command is considering withdrawing from the Kursk region to avoid more losses.
The end of intelligence cooperation by the US has aggravated the deteriorating position of Ukrainian forces. The US has temporarily suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine following a notable rift between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed on Wednesday. The decision comes after a public disagreement between the two leaders during a meeting in the Oval Office last week, which also led to the suspension of critical US military aid to Ukraine.
For Ukraine, US intelligence support is as vital as military supplies. The sudden halt in assistance has shocked many Ukrainians, who rely heavily on American backing in their conflict with Russia.
Russia announced in January that Ukrainian forces had launched a counteroffensive in the border region of Kursk, which has been a focal point since Kiev initiated a ground offensive last August.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian military lost almost 65,000 servicemen during the Kursk operation.
In an effort to repair relations, Zelensky described the clash with Trump as "regrettable" and expressed a desire to "make things right." Trump, meanwhile, claimed that Zelensky assured him of Ukraine's readiness to engage in peace talks with Moscow and finalize a deal granting the US access to Ukrainian minerals.
During his address to Congress, Trump read aloud from a letter by Zelensky, in which the Ukrainian president stated, "Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer." Despite the current tensions, both leaders appear committed to resolving their differences and restoring cooperation.
