Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his forces to expel Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region by January 20, 2025, aligning with the anticipated inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
Zelenskyy described the directive as part of Putin’s efforts to project control over an increasingly tenuous situation.
“Putin is determined to show he can control what he clearly cannot,” Zelenskyy said. He emphasized that the Kremlin’s focus on Kursk follows Ukraine’s military successes in the region, which have underscored Russia’s inability to defend its own territories due to the redirection of resources toward occupying Ukrainian land.
Since August, Ukrainian forces have secured control over more than 100 settlements in Kursk, though Russia has managed to regain some ground. Putin reportedly views success in Kursk as pivotal to his broader campaign, branding it a critical objective of the so-called “special military operation.”
Zelenskyy acknowledged the challenges Ukraine faces in Donbas, citing insufficient personnel and slow military aid deliveries, but stressed the resilience of Ukrainian defense forces.
Reports also indicate Russia has deployed approximately 50,000 troops, including contingents from North Korea, to Kursk to regain control. Western intelligence suggests Putin is eager to consolidate territorial gains before the Trump administration begins, as this may shape future international dynamics surrounding the conflict.
