CIA predicts difficulties for Russia in attempt to reclaim lost territories, - Reuters.

CIA Deputy Director David Cohen reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing a counteroffensive to reclaim the Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces have captured, but Russian forces will face a "tough fight".

Reuters disseminated this news.

At a national security conference, Cohen noted that the significance of the Ukrainian invasion of the Kursk region, which occurred across approximately 777 square kilometers of Russian province, still needs to be assessed. Ukrainian forces crossed the Russian border and have been holding the captured territory for some Time, building defensive lines.

Cohen stated that Vladimir Putin "will definitely organize a counteroffensive to reclaim this territory." According to him, the Russian leader will not only have to deal with the existence of a front on Russian territory but also address the problems of his society, which has lost part of its territory. Ukraine's success in Kursk can also influence the dynamics of the conflict, but Cohen did not explain how.

It is noted that Russia is achieving success in its actions, but it is costly in terms of losses of troops and equipment. Regarding the capture of the key logistics city of Pokrovsk, Cohen said that Russia "may or may not" achieve this, but it does not have a decisive significance in a strategic sense for the Russians.

Moreover, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the war with Russia will end with dialogue. According to him, Ukraine must be in a strong position and will present its plan to U.S. President Joe Biden. Zelensky emphasized the need to take into account the interests of both sides to reach an agreement.

In turn, Putin expressed the view that any agreement should consider Russia's interests, in particular leaving it a significant part of the territory in Ukraine, including Crimea. Ukraine, for its part, claims control over more than 1,200 square kilometers of the Kursk region.