Kursk is a Russian oblast bordering Ukraine's Sumy region. In August 2024 Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border incursion, briefly holding roughly 1,300 square kilometres of Russian territory and forcing large-scale evacuations, with Kursk becoming the most active stretch of the front by early 2025. Russia's counter-offensive steadily rolled the salient back, and its forces retook Sudzha, the last significant Ukrainian-held town, by 12 March 2025, ending Ukraine's occupation.

Russia's General Staff later said the operation aimed to protect Kursk and neighbouring Belgorod from further cross-border raids. The oblast has since returned to its pre-incursion role as a rear area supporting Russian operations against Sumy and Kharkiv, with periodic Ukrainian long-range strikes but no renewed ground incursion reported through September 2026.

Common Questions

When did Ukraine invade Kursk Oblast?

Ukraine launched a cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast on 6 August 2024, its first occupation of Russian territory in the war.

Why did Ukraine attack Kursk if it was losing territory elsewhere?

Ukraine's Kursk operation aimed to force Russia to divert troops from the Donetsk axis, demonstrate the war extended to Russian soil, and create leverage for eventual peace negotiations by holding Russian territory.

How much Russian territory does Ukraine still hold in Kursk?

Ukraine's initial gains of 1,200–1,300 km² were largely reversed by Russian and North Korean forces. By May 2026, the Kursk incursion served primarily as a historical benchmark for measuring Russian territorial momentum.Source: ISW

What is the significance of Kursk in the Russia-Ukraine war?

Kursk became the first Russian territory occupied by a foreign Army since 1945. ISW uses the August 2024 incursion as the baseline for measuring Russian net territorial change, making it the defining reference point in the war's momentum narrative.Source: ISW

Why is the Kursk incursion used as a benchmark for Russian territorial losses?

The Kursk incursion in August 2024 was the largest single-period loss of Russian-claimed territory in the war. ISW now uses it as the reference point for net territorial performance. When Russia's advance rate turned negative in April-May 2026, analysts described Russia's position as its weakest since Kursk, having net-lost 100 square miles in four weeks.Source: event

What happened during Ukraine's Kursk incursion in 2024?

In August 2024 Ukraine launched a cross-border ground offensive into Kursk Oblast, the first foreign seizure of Russian territory since World War Two. At peak, Ukraine held an estimated 1,200-1,300 sq km. Russian and North Korean forces subsequently pushed back, recovering most of the territory over several months.

How much Russian territory did Ukraine control in Kursk Oblast?

Ukraine seized an estimated 1,200 to 1,300 square kilometres of Kursk Oblast at the peak of its August 2024 incursion. By early 2026, Russian and North Korean forces had pushed back, recovering most of the captured ground.

Does Ukraine still hold territory in Kursk Oblast?

No. Russia recaptured Sudzha, the last Ukrainian-held settlement, by 12 March 2025, ending the 2024 incursion.

Source Material

Kursk Oblast becomes hottest spot on front line Ukrainian occupation of Kursk Oblast Kursk Oblast