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.

Russian troops have taken control of the city of Sudzha in the Kursk Oblast and are fighting with the Ukrainian Defense Forces in border villages of the Sumy

The repositioning could be a prelude to a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from Kursk back to the relative safety of northern Ukraine. Shrugging off at least one raid by a Ukrainian

Ukraine says it's ready to fight in Kursk Oblast 'as long as necessary,' as Russia claims to retake over 86% of seized territories * Ukraine doesn't trust Russia but wants to show readiness for peace,

A Ukrainian serviceman patrols a street next to buildings damaged during fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces in the Ukrainian-controlled town of Sudzha in Russia's Kursk region, August 16, 2024.

According to Syrskyi, the battle now rages on the outskirts of Sudzha and surrounding districts, with Russia attempting to push the Ukrainians out of Kursk and shift the fighting to Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.