In the Kursk direction, Russia's faltering offensive has not only failed to achieve its objectives but also sparked widespread civilian unrest, leading to significant political fallout. The stalled third wave of the Russian counter-offensive aimed to encircle Ukrainian forces in the Kursk salient but was thwarted by Ukraine's adaptive defenses, including heavily mined roads and artillery support from elevated positions. As Russian losses mounted and territorial gains remained minimal, social discontent surged among displaced civilians, prompting President Putin to dismiss Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov in a bid to quell unrest. However, with the conflict ongoing and public frustration rising, the situation in Kursk highlights the deepening challenges for Russia on both the military and civilian fronts.

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