Ukraine War: Let the Battle for Kursk Begin
With Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House possibly halting U.S. aid to Ukraine, Kyiv is intensifying efforts to demonstrate resilience. Ukrainian forces are preparing a potential counterattack in the Kursk region, where Russia has amassed troops, including North Korean "volunteers."
What You Need to Know: With Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House possibly halting U.S. aid to Ukraine, Kyiv is intensifying efforts to demonstrate resilience. Ukrainian forces are preparing a potential counterattack in the Kursk region, where Russia has amassed troops, including North Korean "volunteers."
-Ukraine’s efforts will be bolstered by the newly trained "Anne of Kyiv" brigade, equipped with French-supplied AMX-10 light tanks, Caesar artillery, and armored carriers.
-President Biden recently authorized Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russian positions in Kursk, signaling escalating conflict. As Trump’s presidency looms, Kyiv faces pressure to solidify gains, rejecting peace terms that concede territory or NATO aspirations.
Ukraine Prepares Counterstrike in Kursk Amid Rising U.S. Political Uncertainty
Donald Trump's return to the White House in just two months could likely end any further U.S. aid to Ukraine, but Kyiv may be preparing to launch an attack to highlight to the world that it is far from out of the fight. For weeks, Russia has been massing tens of thousands of soldiers, including "volunteers" from North Korea, likely in a bid to drive out Kyiv's forces from the embattled Kursk border region, which Ukraine "invaded" in August.
The Ukrainians could soon be bolstered by thousands of soldiers who had recently completed training in France with light battle tanks and artillery. According to The Associated Press, the French task force Champagne oversaw the training of more than 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers who will soon return to the frontlines. They'll be armed with 18 AMX 10 light tanks, 18 mobile Caesar artillery pieces, and 128 armored troop carriers.
The newly formed Ukrainian brigade was fittingly named "Anne of Kyiv" to honor the former Kyiv princess who became Queen of France after marrying King Henry I.
The AMX 10 Could Hold the Line
Designated as "light tanks" by the French military, despite being a wheeled not tracked vehicle, the AMX-10 RC has been employed with French cavalry units since the early 1980s. A total of 457 were produced, and around 240 are reported to be in service with the French Army – while others were sold to Morocco and Qatar.
The vehicles are armed with a 105mm F2 BK MECA L/47 main gun, and have been deployed in a reconnaissance role in contested environments and for fire support. A crew of four operates the tank destroyer, which first saw service in the 1980s Western Sahara War. It was later employed in the 1991 Gulf War, and the War in Afghanistan, as well as in recent French military operations in Mali. The AMX 10 has been seen as well suited to a defensive role to support heavier main battle tanks (MBTs), and could help Kyiv maintain its foothold in Russia.
White House Greenlights Use of Weapons in Russia
On Sunday, President Joe Biden removed the restrictions on Ukraine to fire U.S.-supplied long-range weapons into Russia. The revised policy will allow Ukrainian forces to fire on the Kursk region, yet, that could still allow Kyiv to strike Russian positions as it continues its build-up.
Kyiv has pushed for permission to fire anywhere the weapons can reach, and there is growing speculation that the White House will grant the authority if Moscow continues to escalate the conflict – as it did by receiving the North Korean troops.
The Kremlin certainly would desire to drive Ukraine out of Kursk before Trump takes office – as the former and now president-elect has vowed to end the conflict quickly, but without giving any clear indication of how that might be accomplished. It has also been speculated that Trump will call for Ukraine to accept territorial losses and could support Moscow's call that Ukraine maintain an independent status – meaning it can't join NATO.
Kyiv has said both terms would be non-starters in any peace deal.
Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
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