Kursk Offensive

Type

Military Offensive

Conflict (2024 Event)

Russia-Ukraine War

Location (2024 Event)

Kursk Oblast, Russia

Historical Context Note

The term 'Kursk Offensive' or 'Battle of Kursk' is also widely used to refer to a major World War II battle fought in July-August 1943 between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, which was the largest tank battle in history and a turning point on the Eastern Front.

Participants (2024 Event)

Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian Armed Forces, Russian border guard

Significance (2024 Event)

Most significant attack across the border since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine; exposed deficiencies and vulnerabilities in the Russian offensive

Initial Outcome (2024 Event)

Ukrainian forces captured 1,000 km² of Russian territory; state of emergency declared in Kursk Oblast; Russian reserves rushed to the area

Primary Objectives (Ukrainian, 2024 Event)

Inflict damage on Russia's military, capture Russian troops, push Russian artillery out of range, hinder Russian supply lines, divert Russian forces from other fronts, pressure Russian government for fair peace negotiations

2024-08-06

2024-08-06

2024-08-13

2024-08-31

1943-07-05

1943-07-12

On 15 April, Hitler issued Operational Order No. 6, which called for the Kursk offensive operation, codenamed Zitadelle ("Citadel"), to begin on 3 May or shortly thereafter. The directive was drafted by Kurt Zeitzler, the OKH Chief of Staff. For the offensive to succeed it was deemed essential to attack before the Soviets had a chance to prepare extensive defences or to launch an offensive of their own. Some military historians have described the operation using the term Blitzkrieg (lightning [...] The Battle of Kursk, also called the Battle of the Kursk Salient, was a major World War II Eastern Front "Eastern Front (World War II)") battle between the forces of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union near Kursk in southwestern Russia during the summer of 1943, resulting in a Soviet victory. The Battle of Kursk is the single largest battle in the history of warfare. It ranks only behind the Battle of Stalingrad several months earlier as the most often-cited turning point in the European theatre [...] The battle began with the launch of the German offensive Operation Citadel (German: Unternehmen Zitadelle), on 5 July, which had the objective of pinching off the Kursk salient "Salient (military)") with attacks on the base of the salient from north and south simultaneously. After the German offensive stalled on the northern side of the salient, on 12 July, the Soviets commenced their Kursk Strategic Offensive Operation with the launch of Operation Kutuzov (Russian: Кутузов) against the rear of

The Battle of Kursk, fought in July 1943, was a pivotal confrontation during World War II and marked a significant turning point on the Eastern Front. Following the German defeat at Stalingrad, German High Command, led by Adolf Hitler, devised Operation Citadel to regain the initiative by launching a massive offensive against a bulge in Soviet lines near Kursk. Despite having superior tanks and aircraft, the German forces faced fierce resistance from the Soviet army, which had fortified the [...] The Battle of Kursk, fought in July 1943, was a pivotal confrontation during World War II and marked a significant turning point on the Eastern Front. Following the German defeat at Stalingrad, German High Command, led by Adolf Hitler, devised Operation Citadel to regain the initiative by launching a massive offensive against a bulge in Soviet lines near Kursk. Despite having superior tanks and aircraft, the German forces faced fierce resistance from the Soviet army, which had fortified the [...] Although one of the shortest battles of World War II, the Battle of Kursk was the largest tank battle in the history of warfare and is considered a major turning point in the war. Although the Soviet Union lost nearly 200,000 troops to Germany’s 50,000, the battle was nevertheless a decisive Soviet victory. The German army lost its capacity to launch any further offensives on the Eastern Front, and it began a long tactical retreat, while a reinvigorated Soviet army began an advance that led to

The Battle of Kursk or Operation Citadel was a large and decisive tank battle on the Eastern Front in World War II. It marked the end of the German offensive capability on the Eastern Front and cleared the way for the great Soviet offensives of 1944–45. This battle also saw the day with the greatest losses in the history of the air war. The battle took place in July and August 1943 between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union near the city of Kursk in Russia. 900.000 infantry, 2.700 tanks and

Current analysis of the recent offensive conducted by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of Russia is incomplete at best and misguided at worst. Most of the pundits are focused on speculating whether the recent offensive will anger American politicians, lead to an eventual victory, or halt the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. Dealing with the anger of American politicians first, it is unlikely that Ukraine conducted this counteroffensive in a vacuum. American politicians were likely [...] The Kursk offensive exposed many deficiencies and vulnerabilities in the Russian offensive as the war approached the third-year mark. Unfortunately, some pundits and news outlets prefer to view the Kursk offensive as a gamble or even a failure. _France 24_ recently reported that Russia is making gains in eastern Ukraine despite the Kursk action. The news outlet also reported that Ukrainian planners had hoped to draw Russian troops away from this offensive, but it did not happen. This is [...] The Kursk offensive has also increased the Ukrainian military’s operational reach. The Ukrainian forces have already destroyed some key supply bridges supporting Russian forces in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have also been able to destroy fuel depots, particularly oil, deeper into Russia, threatening both the Russian economy and the ability of Russia to continue to supply its mechanized units. Ukraine has also been able to hit an oil refinery and a power station deeper into Russia. The loss of