‍As the days pass, more and more is found in the media and beyond about negotiating a ceasefire, stopping the war, the disadvantages facing Ukraine, and how Russia is advancing.

What is not given as much coverage is how the wheels are coming off the Russian economy, how severely Russia is suffering setbacks in regions other than Ukraine, and how Ukraine’s extraordinary creativity and determination continue to thwart Putin’s war machine.

In his Article below, Shankar Narayan relays the impressive story of Ukraine’s counterattack in Kursk.

Only foreign policy ostriches would ignore Ukraine’s ability and what Ukrainians could do if provided the weapons they need and that Washington has known Ukraine needed since before Russia’s full-scale invasion of February 2022.

The negotiations that would be in Ukraine and the United States’ best security interests would be the negotiations after Ukraine defeats Russia!

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Ukraine Launches Combined Arms Counterattack in Kursk

Russian military bloggers are stunned by the effectiveness.

by The Kyiv Independent news desk January 6, 2025

It’s all happening in Kursk Oblast, Russia.

Ukraine launched an unexpected mechanized assault toward the Russian town of Bolshoe Soldatskoye. The area is heavily packed, with multiple Russian brigades stationed along the crowded front. Yet, waves of Ukrainian armored vehicles rolled into the section.

At the Ukr-Rus front, nothing is supposed to move fast. That’s the unwritten rule. Every inch is under constant drone surveillance. The moment enemy vehicles are spotted massing and moving, first-person-view (FPV) drones swarm toward them, ready to drop grenades. As FPV drone operators guide their drones, they also relay the enemy’s route to artillery units stationed in the rear.

The defending brigades would have already mined the roads and identified choke points — vulnerable sections where vehicles are forced to slow down, such as narrow paths or sharp turns. These coordinates would already be programmed for the gunners. Drone operators signal the vehicles’ estimated time of arrival at the kill zone. As the enemy columns enter, a volley of artillery shells rains down, immobilizing the vehicles. Anything left standing is picked off with kamikaze drones.

The frontline is where mechanized columns go to die. That’s how brutal it is.

This is why Russian forces rely on dismounted assaults. Soldiers advance on foot in waves, attempting to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses. Sometimes they walk. Sometimes they take golf carts. Occasionally, they ride motorcycles to the front.

This week, the unwritten rule of the front was broken.

Ukraine successfully launched a mechanized assault toward Bolshoye Soldatskoye, pushing Russian troops back. As armored vehicles advanced deep into enemy territory, Ukraine deployed its electronic warfare units alongside them, effectively blinding and immobilizing Russian drones. Meanwhile, unspecified Ukrainian missiles began raining down on Russian brigades in the area. The onslaught intensified as Ukrainian vehicles rolled in, adding to the chaos and destruction.

The Russian commander in the region responded by dispatching reinforcements. But Ukraine was prepared. Using US-supplied HIMARS launchers — renowned for their pinpoint accuracy — Ukrainian forces targeted the rear positions, disrupting the reinforcements before they could stabilize the situation.

As chaos engulfed Bolshoye Soldatskoye, Ukraine struck again. Before the Russians could regroup, Ukrainian forces opened two additional fronts and pressed their advance.

Some Russian military bloggers claim that Russian forces have advanced further south of where Ukraine made gains in the last 48 hours. What remains unclear is the timing of this move — whether it happened before or after Ukraine’s counterattack. We should know the details soon, but for now, the sequence of events remains uncertain.

The situation in Kursk is evolving rapidly, making it difficult to predict Ukraine’s next moves. However, what has stunned the Russian ultranationalist community isn’t just the territory lost in the last 48 hours — it’s how effectively Ukraine integrated mechanized assaults with long-range strikes and electronic warfare. These components came together seamlessly, forming a coordinated effort that overwhelmed the enemy.

This is a significant achievement, but it’s important to keep the terrain and strategic posture in mind. The Kursk region and the way both armies are positioned make this kind of operation possible. For the Russians, Kursk Oblast isn’t just another battleground — it’s home turf, and their focus is on evicting Ukrainian forces. This offensive stance means they haven’t built continuous defensive lines to secure their positions. Without such fortifications, Russian troops in the sector remain highly vulnerable to fast-paced attacks. Drones are their primary means of defense. If Ukraine disables those drones, Russian forces will likely struggle to hold the line.

So far, Ukraine has executed its strategy brilliantly. As they advanced toward Bolshoye Soldatskoye, Russian forces tried to hold the line but eventually retreated. Judging by the map below, Ukraine could have easily pushed deeper into Russian territory if they had chosen to.

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Pushing further might have only stretched Ukraine’s lines. If there’s a plan to expand fully to the right of the map, then perhaps Ukraine could justify advancing deeper. But ultimately, this depends on their overarching objective in the salient — a goal that remains unclear. For now, we know Ukraine is advancing in three directions. Whether all three are feints or all part of a larger plan is anyone’s guess.

Regardless, this counterattack brings one undeniable advantage. In the last three months of 2024, Putin has reportedly lost close to 120,000 troops. His forces are burning through reserves at an unsustainable pace. At some point, he will have to slow operations to rebuild his reserve strength. He will need to pause. With this counterattack, Ukraine is denying him that breathing space. If the lines break, Ukraine will keep pressing forward. To hold the line, Putin is forced to fight — and to send even more troops.

Kursk is the most vulnerable part of the Russian front, and it’s also where Russian forces suffer the heaviest casualties. The lack of defensive structures in this region makes it particularly costly for Moscow to hold. Through this counterattack, Ukraine can keep Russian casualty rates elevated, preventing them from stabilizing or regaining control of the situation.

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ROBERT MCCONNELL

Co-Founder, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation

Director of External Affairs, Friends of Ukraine Network

The introduction is Mr. McConnell’s and does not necessarily represent the views of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation or those of the Friends of Ukraine Network (FOUN).

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