The Ukrainian situation in Kursk is deteriorating: Following the start of the second phase of the Russian counteroffensive in the oblast the Russian army has managed to drive Ukrainian forces out of many of their positions taken in August on different axes, retreating towards the border again. The replacement of the experienced brigades by defense forces and reservists has made it impossible to contain the Russian pressure exerted since September. Of course, the figure of 50,000 troops on this front is nonsensical and illogical considering the difficulty the Ukrainian army is already having to maintain its positions on the other fronts. New Ukrainian reinforcements leave for Sumy in response to contain the Russian advance, reinforcements that on the other hand, are needed elsewhere, which indicates that the Ukrainian non-withdrawal from Kursk is due only to political reasons after its certified military failure. Ukraine currently controls less than 600 square kilometers.