In Part 2 of our breakdown of the Ukrainian Kursk offensive, we explore how the battle shifted once Russia regrouped and launched counterattacks. After Ukraine’s initial breakthrough and capture of a large swath of territory, Russian forces poured reinforcements into the region, determined to push the Ukrainians back regardless of losses. Fierce clashes unfolded around Korenevo, Snagost, and Liubimovka, where Russian assaults cost them huge numbers of vehicles and troops. Ukraine responded with fresh reinforcements, including modern Western armor, slowing down Russian advances but suffering significant equipment losses of its own. The air war also intensified, with both sides relying heavily on drones, guided bombs, and precision strikes to shape the battlefield. By October, Russia had clawed back much of the territory Ukraine had captured, but only at enormous cost. At the same time, Ukraine succeeded in forcing Moscow to commit a large portion of its elite airborne forces to Kursk,