Sunday marks exactly two months since Ukrainian forces launched cross-border operations in western Russia.
The cross-border attacks in the Kursk region started on August 6. Ukrainian forces say that as of late August, they had captured 100 settlements and about 1,300 square kilometers of Russian territory.
Despite Russia’s attempt to sweep them out, the Ukrainians have remained in control of parts of the region.
One of the objectives of the cross-border operations is to divert some Russian troops from the Donbas in eastern Ukraine and to stop their advance there.
Even so, Russia has continued strong offensives in Donetsk, a region in the Donbas, forcing the Ukrainians to retreat from some areas. The Ukrainian military announced on Wednesday it had withdrawn from Vuhledar.
Russian forces are likely to hit the strategic city of Pokrovsk and others, with an eye on controlling the entire region.
Mykhailo Samus, a security expert and representative of a Ukrainian think tank, has told NHK that it is important for Russians to have some political success before the next US President takes office.
Samus says the Russians are now focusing on the Donbas, but that occupying all of the region by the end of the year is unlikely. He cited as reasons insufficient troops and supplies and strong Ukrainian defense lines.