From VOA Russian: Experts address strategic context of situation in Kursk region

FILE - A Russian soldier fires from a howitzer toward the Ukrainian position in the Russian-Ukrainian border area in ​​the Kursk region, Russia, Oct. 28, 2024, in this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry.

An operation by Ukraine launched on August 6 captured dozens of towns and villages and gained control of about 1,000 square kilometers in Russia’s Kursk region. Gradually, Russia has pushed Ukrainian forces out of about half of the territory they captured.