Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) are currently maneuvering to establish advantageous defensive positions in the Kursk region, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. He emphasized that measures are being taken to strengthen UAF capabilities in the area, including the deployment of drones and electronic warfare assets. Syrskyi asserted that there is no imminent threat of encirclement for Ukrainian units. However, The Daily Telegraph reported insights from a UAF source indicating potential plans to withdraw troops from Russian territory to avoid encirclement, as an estimated 10,000 personnel could be jeopardized. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that, since the onset of hostilities along this front, Ukrainian losses exceed 65,000 troops. As of March 8-9, 2024, Russian forces have reportedly liberated seven settlements in the Kursk region, part of an ongoing operation to dismantle UAF formations. This situation underscores the strategic complexities and evolving dynamics of the conflict, indicative of both operational challenges and the shifting balance of power in the region.
