AFU could launch a counteroffensive in 2025 – The Telegraph.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine could launch a counteroffensive in 2025, despite the Russian presence in the Donetsk region. This information is reported by The Telegraph.

According to the publication, several factors could influence Moscow's decision. First, Ukraine's successes in the Kursk region could force Russia to redeploy some of its forces from the occupied territories, weakening their defense and expanding the capabilities of Ukrainian drones.

Second, Ukrainian brigades undergoing training could be used to reinforce troops in the Kursk or Donetsk regions, depending on the front line situation. This strategic flexibility could allow Ukraine to launch a counteroffensive, not just another attack on the occupied territories of Donbas.

The third important factor is the destruction of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the dismantling of Russian air defenses in Crimea. This forced Russian troops on the peninsula to switch to defensive actions, and Ukraine's next likely target would be Crimea. An important detail is that the Kerch Bridge could be completely destroyed in the near future.

On August 12, Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed the AFU operation in the Kursk region and stated that Ukraine controls an area of 1,000 square kilometers in Russia. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the SBU, MVS, and other officials to prepare a humanitarian plan for the Kursk region operation.

At a meeting on the situation in the Kursk region, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine had invaded Russia's Kursk region to improve its negotiating positions; however, Moscow will not negotiate with Kyiv.

Since the start of hostilities in the Kursk region, the Russian Federation has lost control over 28 populated areas. This information was provided by the acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov. According to DeepState analysts, at least 44 populated areas have been liberated, and the status of another ten areas is unknown.

It is noted that Lieutenant General Andrey Gurulev, a member of the Defense Committee of Russia, accused the Russian military of failing to defend the Kursk region. He stated that the Russian military did not prepare in advance and did not build defensive structures properly.