By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies
As winter sets in and the war in Ukraine grinds into another brutal phase, the soldiers occupying the Russian region of Kursk express a growing sense of despair. Nearly four months after launching their operation, Ukrainian troops face dire conditions, relentless Russian bombardment, and questions about the mission’s long-term objectives.
Through encrypted communications, several soldiers in Kursk shared their bleak outlook with reporters, painting a picture of fatigue, discontent, and uncertainty.
A Mission Under Strain
When Ukrainian forces surged into Kursk in August, the goal was clear: to divert Russian troops from the eastern front. However, as Russian forces gradually retake lost ground, some soldiers question whether the operation has achieved its purpose.
“We don’t see the goal. Our land is not here,” wrote a soldier, identified as “Pavlo,” who described immense fatigue and dwindling morale. The toll is visible not only in territorial losses—Ukraine has lost approximately 40% of the ground it initially seized—but also in the human cost.
The harsh environment exacerbates the strain. Constant Russian artillery, including devastating 3,000kg glide bombs, keeps troops in a state of perpetual anxiety. Sleep deprivation, freezing conditions, and a lack of rotation for overworked units have further eroded spirits.
“We’re struggling to hold,” said “Vadym,” who noted that while the operation may have disrupted Russian plans in other regions, the cost to Ukrainian forces has been steep.
Politics Overshadowing the Battlefield
For many soldiers, the timing of the operation seems tied less to military strategy than to political considerations. According to messages from the front, troops have been instructed to hold Kursk territory until January 20, 2025—the date of the next U.S. presidential inauguration.
The implication is clear: Ukrainian commanders are banking on a potential policy shift under a new U.S. administration, possibly led by Donald Trump, to negotiate a favorable resolution.
“The main task facing us is to hold the maximum territory until Trump’s inauguration and the start of negotiations,” Pavlo explained.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also acknowledged the political undercurrents, suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin aims to solidify his control before January.
Challenges on the Ground
While Ukraine’s allies, including the U.S., UK, and France, have supplied advanced long-range weapons to support the operation, soldiers report feeling disconnected from these high-level strategies.
“No one sits in a cold trench and prays for missiles,” Pavlo said. “We live and fight here and now.”
Despite the introduction of Atacms and Storm Shadow missiles, their impact on the immediate frontline remains limited. For the troops entrenched in Kursk, survival and rotation dominate their conversations rather than the strategic benefits of missile strikes.
Adding to the tension are unconfirmed reports of North Korean troops joining the Russian counteroffensive in Kursk. While Ukrainian forces have been ordered to capture North Korean prisoners, soldiers report no evidence of their presence.
Historical Parallels and Future Prospects
Veterans of previous operations, such as the ill-fated bridgehead at Krynky on the Dnipro River, see parallels between the two campaigns. The Krynky mission, initially envisioned as a springboard for deeper incursions into Russian-held territory, ended in disaster with heavy casualties and no strategic gains.
“Good idea but bad implementation,” remarked “Myroslav,” a marine officer who served in Krynky and is now deployed in Kursk.
Despite the setbacks, military analysts argue that the Kursk campaign remains strategically important. Serhiy Kuzan, of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, emphasized that the operation continues to drain Russian resources and manpower.
“The longer we can hold this Kursk front—with adequate equipment, artillery, and long-range weapons—the better,” Kuzan explained.
A Test of Endurance
For now, Ukraine’s leadership remains committed to the Kursk operation, framing it as a necessary effort to keep pressure on Russia. But on the ground, soldiers are weary and questioning their role in a war that seems to shift its priorities with every new political development.
“As long as it is feasible from the military point of view,” one senior commander said, Ukraine will continue to hold Kursk. For the soldiers entrenched in the freezing forests, however, the cost of that feasibility feels more personal with each passing day.
“We don’t need these Kursk forests, in which we left so many comrades,” Pavlo lamented, reflecting the growing frustration among those on the front lines.