If the Ukrainian Armed Forces lose Kursk, the Russian army will launch a major offensive, according to the Washington Post.

The military operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region is of great significance for the course of the war. If the Ukrainian army loses its positions, then 60,000 Russian troops will advance into Ukraine.

This is reported by The Washington Post. It is noted that this development implies that the Russian army will capture as much territory as possible, and it is unlikely that Moscow will come to the negotiating table.

"Ukraine's constant focus on Kursk indicates how crucial it is for Kyiv to hold this territory, especially considering that the upcoming arrival of Trump may increase pressure on both sides to sit down for negotiations. Ukrainian officials have also warned that if their troops retreat across the border, the 60,000 troops that Kyiv claims Russia has deployed will follow them into Ukraine and seize more territory," the publication writes.

Currently, Russia is aggressively seeking to reclaim lost territories and maintain control over the occupied eastern Ukraine. It is reported that in December, 500 North Korean soldiers began storming Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region, outnumbering the Ukrainians by at least 6:1. The battle lasted for eight hours, but then the Ukrainian forces ran out of ammunition and had to retreat.

At the same time, the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump is prompting both Kyiv and Moscow to secure the most advantageous position on the front. However, as the publication notes, Moscow has a significant advantage in manpower and resources, making it less likely than Ukraine to "view his inauguration as a moment that will immediately change the game."

"Since the election, there has been a long narrative that both sides will try to significantly improve their positions before January 20," explains Michael Kofman, a military analyst at the Virginia-based Center for Naval Analyses. "There are signs of Russia's interest in meeting with Trump, but that should not be confused with a willingness to negotiate. It is unclear why Moscow would seek negotiations right now, given the trajectory of the war."

Previously, "Telegraph" reported that a British colonel assessed the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region.