Ukraine Russia war latest: 15,000 of Putin’s soldiers killed in Kursk, Zelensky says
Kyiv launched a new offensive in Kursk over the weekend, and says Russia is ‘getting what it deserves’ there
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Russia has suffered heavy losses in five months of fighting Ukrainian forces in its Kursk region, with nearly 15,000 of Vladimir Putin’s troops killed, Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday.
“During the Kursk operation, the enemy has already lost 38,000 of their soldiers in this direction alone, with nearly 15,000 of these losses being irreversible,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address. Ukraine launched its surprise incursion inside Russia’s Kursk in August last year.
Over the weekend, Ukrainian soldiers renewed their offensive inside Kursk in a bid to gain as much territory as possible before Donald Trump enters office in Washington.
Kyiv has not yet acknowledged the attack but a senior Ukrainian official said Russia was “getting what it deserves” there.
Elsewhere, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed three Russian air defence systems, worth tens of millions of pounds, in just one day.Ukrainian navy commander Oleksii Neizhpapa said they had hit two Russian anti-missile Pantsir-S1 systems and one OSA anti-aircraft vehicle.
Pantsirs have an estimated value of $15m (£12m) each.
Zelensky says Russian and North Korean troops suffered significant losses in Kursk
Ukraine-Russia war map: Where are Putin’s forces making gains on the frontline as 2025 begins?
Ukraine ends Russian gas pipeline to Europe – but how much will it cost Moscow?
The Natalia Grace saga: Ukrainian adoptee accused of faking her age has a new family
Ukraine’s frontline in maps - ISW
Below, you can look at the latest maps of the frontline in Ukraine, provided by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Bulgarians celebrate the feast of Epiphany with a ritual plunge into icy rivers
Bulgarians celebrate the feast of Epiphany with a ritual plunge into icy rivers
Thousands of Orthodox Christian worshippers in Bulgaria on Monday braved the freezing winter weather to plunge into icy waters as they observed centuries-old Epiphany traditions
Ukraine’s wounded soldiers escape war at Putin’s favourite Greek mountain
Ukraine’s wounded soldiers escape war at Putin’s favourite Greek mountain
Putin has previously said he was proud to have sponsored projects on Athos
Ukraine Kursk offensive: What Kyiv stands to gain and lose in surprise counter-attack on Russian soil
What Kyiv stands to gain and lose in surprise counter-attack on Russian soil
Russian military commentators say they are ‘worried’ about the multipronged Ukrainian attack in the border region of Kursk
Russia says it thwarted Ukrainian breakthrough in Kursk region
Russian troops have thwarted attempts by Ukrainian forces to achieved a breakthrough in the Kursk region of western Russia, state news agency, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed on Monday.
The main Ukrainian force was destroyed near the village of Berdin, resulting in the loss of personnel and tanks, the ministry said.
The Independent could not independently confirm Russia’s account of the battlefield situation. Ukraine has yet to provide details of its operations in Kursk.
As Trump returns to the White House, and Putin’s forces advance – what next for Ukraine in 2025?
As Trump returns to the White House – what next for Ukraine in 2025?
Ukraine is facing an array of issues heading into 2025, underscored by anxiety about what the re-election of Donald Trump could mean for the country’s future. Tom Watling speaks to politicians, military experts and aid workers to discover what next year could hold
Russia claims to capture village in eastern Ukraine after advances
Russia claims to capture village in eastern Ukraine after advances
The Ukrainian air force said on Monday that it shot down two Kh-59 cruise missiles
What’s happening in Kursk? An in-depth account
Below, you can see an in-depth account of what is happening in the Russian border region of Kursk, where Ukraine launched a counterattack over the weekend.
The thread is written by Rob Lee, a senior fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Eurasia Program.
Putin and Trump are deluded about one another – and Ukraine will pay the price
Putin and Trump are deluded about one another – and Ukraine will pay the price
With Donald Trump vowing to the end war in Ukraine quickly, Tom Watling speaks to American and British former officials about the overconfidence of both the US president-elect and the Russian leader
Russia claims control over another village just south of Ukraine’s Pokrovsk
Russian forces have reportedly captured the village of Dachenske, just south of the important Ukrainian logistics hub of Pokrovsk, the Russian defence ministry claimed on Monday.
Earlier, they claimed to have taken control of the Ukrainian town of Kurakhove to the south.
The Independent could not verify these claims, however Ukrainian war tracker DeepState, known to have close ties to the military, recorded Dachenske as at least partially under Russian control.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments