Ukraine's retreat from Kursk Oblast appears more likely as the latest news shows Russia taking ground amid intense attacks to drive Ukraine out, experts and soldiers say. Retaking Ukrainian-held territory in Kursk Oblast could leave Kyiv without its hard-fought bargaining chip before potential negotiations with Russia.
In recent days, Russian forces have destroyed Ukrainian logistics in Kursk Oblast, claimed to capture several settlements, and reportedly entered the key town of Sudzha.
Soldiers on the ground told the Kyiv Independent on March 7 that with "zero logistics" left, some would like to withdraw. Ukraine's military leadership said on March 10 that there was no threat of encirclement for Ukrainian troops and ordered reinforcements.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a briefing on March 12 that Ukrainian forces continue to fulfill tasks in Kursk Oblast, while the command is "preserving the maximum of lives of our soldiers."
The news comes as U.S. officials plan to meet with Russian representatives in the coming days to consider a temporary 30-day ceasefire discussed during U.S. talks with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia on March 11.
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-struggles-to-stay-in-kursk-oblast-until-neg otiations-during-russias-new-push/
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* Origin: Ukraine News from various sources (2:263/1)