Active hostilities in the Kursk region continue as of March 19, 2025, with Russian forces increasing pressure on Ukrainian defensive positions. The Ukrainian Armed Forces (VSU) have reported a significant reduction in their controlled territory in this region, now limited to only a few small villages near the border. Meanwhile, the situation in other conflict zones across Ukraine remains tense, with sporadic clashes continuing amidst Russian advances.
In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian troops have been actively expanding their control and intensifying pressure on the VSU. Intense fighting has been recorded near Lobkovo, where Russian forces are working to deepen their penetration into Ukrainian defense lines as they consolidate gains north of Stepovoye. This ongoing offensive is strategically significant for future operations in the Kamensky area, with Russian forces preparing for a potential storming of key urban positions.
Reportedly, over the past 24 hours, Russian forces launched 21 attacks in the Kursk region, with accompanying air strikes that have seen the use of heavy munitions. The enemy deployed 27 air strikes and more than 200 shelling operations aimed at pushing the VSU further back. Notably, Ukrainian officials confirmed the majority of these attempts were successfully repelled, with the VSU continuing to hold fortified positions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reassured the public that Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region are not encircled, as some reports suggested. He emphasized, 5After Putin claims our guys are surrounded, it is clear they are standing their ground. We will defend our state until we force the Russians to end this war,7 he stated during a press conference. The VSU managed to fend off several enemy assaults while continuing to monitor movements along the border, where significant concentrations of Russian troops have been noted.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the VSU is also adapting their tactics. Reports indicate Ukrainian troops are attempting to counterattack in various sectors, particularly near Pokrovsk and Chasov Yar. The successful repelling of advances has provided some strategic reprieve, although Russian forces continue their attempts to encircle the remaining Ukrainian positions. In the Chasov Yar region, Russian units are systematically dismantling Ukrainian defenses and have claimed a slight territorial advance.
In southern regions, particularly around the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian military has intensified its campaign using aerial assaults and ground forces to maintain momentum. The VSU has adapted to these assaults but remains under significant pressure as engagements in these areas grow increasingly fierce.
Ukrainian sources have indicated they are currently experiencing some challenges in command and control, particularly in the face of deteriorating morale among troops. As demoralized battalions attempt to regroup, Russian artillery and drone strikes have made movements across the front lines incredibly hazardous. Ukrainian units, primarily those of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, have had trouble maintaining their positions due to sustained Russian advancements.
In the meantime, Ukrainian combat units have reported attempts at regrouping along the border regions, but face dire circumstances as Russian forces look to cut off Ukrainian reinforcements and create further encirclements. Observations of dispersed Ukrainian troops hidden among wooded areas have raised concerns about their operational capabilities; however, the Ukrainian General Staff remains optimistic about repelling further advances.
Additional developments include reports of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian positions, with mixed results cited across various combat zones. Ukrainian drones have targeted supply lines within Russian-controlled areas, but countermeasures from Russian air defenses have proven effective.
As for the casualties, estimates indicate significant losses on both sides, especially within front-line units. Recent assessments from the Russian Ministry of Defense suggest that losses for the Ukrainian side are substantial, with reports citing figures as high as 465 personnel in a single day due to sustained Russian offensives.
Despite the ongoing conflict and losses sustained, efforts continue on both sides to fortify their strategies and outlooks. The tension remains palpable as each side prepares for the possibility of intensified hostilities in the coming weeks.
