Russia Reclaims 12 Settlements in Kursk Region Amid Ongoing Conflict

On March 11, 2025, Russia's military announced the recapture of 12 settlements in the western Kursk region, marking a significant advancement in its counteroffensive against Ukrainian forces. This operation reclaimed over 100 square kilometers of territory, underscoring Moscow's efforts to regain areas seized by Kyiv in August 2024.

The retaken villages—Agronom, Bogdanovka, Bondarevka, Dmitryukov, Zazulevka, Ivashkovsky, Kolmakov, Kubatkin, Martynovka, Mikhaylovka, Pravda, and Yuzhny—are strategically located around Sudzha, a key town previously under Ukrainian control. This advancement poses a potential encirclement threat to Ukrainian troops in the area.

In response, Ukraine has bolstered its military presence in the region, asserting that its forces are repositioning strategically to maintain control and that there is no immediate threat of encirclement.

Concurrently, high-level peace negotiations are underway in Saudi Arabia between Ukrainian and U.S. officials, focusing on potential ceasefire agreements and strategies to de-escalate the conflict. These talks are critical, especially in light of the U.S. reducing intelligence sharing and satellite data access to Ukraine, aiming to encourage diplomatic resolutions.

The situation in the Kursk region remains dynamic, with both military maneuvers and diplomatic efforts unfolding simultaneously. The outcomes of these developments will significantly influence the trajectory of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.