KYIV: On Thursday, Ukraine's military leadership reported that it now exercises control over only about one-third of the territory it had previously seized in Russia's western Kursk region during a surprise offensive last year.

Commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky revealed through social media that Ukrainian forces maintain control over approximately 500 square kilometers (190 square miles), a notable decrease from earlier figures that estimated control over nearly 1,400 square kilometers.

This revelation comes as part of ongoing military evaluations in light of the complex and changing circumstances in the region.

Ukrainian officials have previously expressed intentions to negotiate territorial exchanges with Russia, seeking to strengthen their bargaining position in any upcoming discussions.

The Kursk region, situated to the north of Ukraine, has experienced shifts in control as the conflict between the two countries endures, with both sides engaging in military operations at various levels.

Observers point out that the landscape of territorial control remains dynamic, shaped by tactical decisions and broader strategic factors in the ongoing conflict.

This acknowledgment of territorial losses highlights the difficulties faced by Ukraine's military as it grapples with the realities of the frontline along its border with Russia.