The conflict in Ukraine enters a new, critical phase, as Russian forces are stepping up their attacks in the Kursk region, causing serious losses to Ukrainian forces in the field. Ukraine’s failure to consolidate its position in the area, which it had initially occupied in August’s unexpected counterattack, reveals the new data that emerges following the United States’ decision to suspend military assistance and exchange of information.

The rapid advance of Russian and North Korean forces threatens Ukraine’s bridge in Kursk, the area within Russian territory, and Kiev hoped that he would give him a negotiating advantage in possible peace talks, Wall Street Journal said.

In recent days, Russian and North Korean troops have occupied several villages in the Kursk area and used attacks through drones to greatly cut off the refueling lines to the main Ukrainian force in the city of Susza, according to soldiers in the area and analysts.

This proceedings took place ahead of the talks this week between high -ranking US and Ukraine officials in Saudi Arabia.

It also followed the US decision to stop the exchange of information and the provision of weapons to Ukraine. This move immediately reduced Ukraine’s ability to carry out long -range attacks, which are based on precise targeting data, and over time will deprive Ukraine critical ammunition and weapons.

Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine had stabilized much of the 800 -mile front line inside the country, stopping the Russian advance and counterattacks around the besieged eastern cities of Toretsk and Pokrovsk, which Russia was on the verge of.

However, the rapid advance of Kursk threatens the unexpected Ukrainian invasion that began in August, which took the Russian defense forces unprepared and conquered dozens of cities and villages.

The prevailing situation is so difficult that a Ukrainian soldier on the Kursk front said he was shooting to cover the soldiers leaving the area.

“I cover their retreat so that they are not surrounded,” the soldier said in a sound message.

The Ukrainian leadership has promoted the promotion within Russia, the first foreign army from World War II, as a way to prevent further Russian attacks from the region, but also to strengthen Kiev’s negotiating position in the event of peace talks. Critics argued that this operation absorbed valuable resources necessary to defend other fronts, at a time when the Ukrainian forces were already stressed.

Russia has provided huge resources in its attempt to recover Kursk and suffered major losses. She developed some of her best units in the area and, in December, sent more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers.

The North Korean troops, unprepared for the modern battlefield, were initially eliminated with relative ease. However, their presence is now decisive for the outcome of the battles, as, unlike their Russian counterparts, they are being promoted to waves, exhausting Ukrainian resources, said Roman Pororil, co -founder of Deepstate, a Ukrainian group analyzing images and videos from social media, Front.

“All of these latest advancements, in most cases, are due to them,” Pororil said.

As soon as the North Koreans are able to break down Ukrainian defenses, the Russian troops follow to secure the positions, repeating the Ukrainian forces.

The Russian army has been preparing the attack on Kursk since January, according to Pororil. At that time, drones and artillery units began to examine the weaknesses of a critical Ukrainian refueling line before sending a large number of drones to hurt it.

“Anything moving there or from there, by 95%, is attacked,” Pororil said of the situation in Kursk.

Drones play a decisive role in the advance of Russians, while strong aerial recognition makes Ukrainians difficult as they are not perceived. Soldiers said Russia is using a huge number of drones controlled through a thin fiber optic cable, which prevents the Ukrainians from breaking them using electronic interference systems.

A Ukrainian soldier trying in the region said Russia is occasionally developing drones closer to the front line than usual, thus expanding the range of their explosive mechanisms.

Air superiority means that not only the equipment, but even the movements of the troops do not go unnoticed, soldiers said.

Another soldier said that alternating soldiers in front -line positions often required a 15 -mile hiking. “That’s why everything collapses,” he said.

It remains unclear whether the Ukrainians will develop aid to try to stabilize this part of the front or whether they will have to completely withdraw from Kursk, as heavy battles continue. If the Ukrainians leave, this will bring the Russians closer to the Ukrainian area of ​​Sumi, where the troops of Kiev will need to continue their defense.

A withdrawal would create difficulties not only militarily but also politically, as Ukraine hoped to exchange the Kursk region in Russia with a part of Ukraine held by the Moscow forces.

At the same time, he will confirm Washington’s position that Ukraine may negotiate from a position of weakness, a perception reinforced by President Trump’s decision to withdraw military aid to the country.

Despite the difficult situation in Kursk, Ukraine has achieved success elsewhere on the front. After an exhausting battle, he managed to stop the Russian attack on the city of Pokrovsk, which seemed almost lost a few months ago. Ukraine has also begun a successful counterattack in the eastern city of Toreck, where the Ukrainian forces have gained ground.

Analysts’ views remain divided over whether the Russians who are fighting in the east are reconstituted or exhausted due to heavy losses. Although the fierce battles continue, Russia loses more people and equipment from Ukraine on the battlefield.