Russia has recaptured half of the territory it lost to Ukraine in Kursk, a region central to Volodymyr Zelensky’s plan to defeat Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian troops are holding the front line in Russia's Kursk Oblast despite Russian attempts to break through, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 12. "There were attempts by Russia to push back our positions. But we are holding the defined lines," he said.

A defense source told Daily Express senior officers are concerned Ukraine "is on the verge of losing the war against Russia."