Russian forces advance in Toretsk and Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, and in Kursk Oblast

Russian troops have achieved successes in Toretsk, Kurakhove, Novovasylivka, Slovyanka, and near Neskuchne and Yantarne in Donetsk Oblast. In Kharkiv Oblast, the Russians advanced in Dvorichna.

In Kursk Oblast, Russian troops are advancing in Novoivanovka and near Novaya Sorochina, according to DeepState. The situation in Makhnovka is being clarified.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in its nightly summary that the most intense battles are taking place on the Pokrovsk front, where 38 assault and offensive actions by the Russian troops took place during the day. On the Kursk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled 25 attacks by the enemy, and there were eight more combat engagements. Storms near Toretsk and Kurakhove were also confirmed.

Ukraine’s new offensive in Kursk Oblast

On Jan. 5, reports emerged of a new offensive by Ukrainian forces in certain areas of Kursk Oblast.

Later, Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, indirectly confirmed the offensive, while Andriy Kovalenko, head of the National Security and Defense Council’s Center for Countering Disinformation, confirmed it directly.

Analysts at the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War noted that Ukrainian forces had resumed offensive actions in at least three areas of Kursk Oblast, achieving tactical advances.

Der Spiegel reported that Ukraine’s offensive in Kursk Oblast began two weeks before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, emphasizing vulnerabilities in Russia’s defenses.

The Presidential Office described the area as a resource for Ukraine.

“This is our resource to trade Kursk Oblast territories for the Ukrainian land that Russia currently occupies,” said Sergii Leshchenko, an adviser to the Presidential Office head.

On Jan. 7, The Telegraph reported that, weeks before Trump’s inauguration, Ukrainian forces had achieved successes in Kursk Oblast, offering “great hope for peace on terms acceptable to Ukraine.”

The National Guard spokesperson Ruslan Muzychuk said on the same day that Russia has been forced to deploy new units to Kursk Oblast to strengthen its grouping.