Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses the audience during a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Kursk in the Russian city, on August 23, 2023.

But its successful new Kursk offensive has done more than seize 480 square miles of Russian territory and humiliate Putin. After nearly a year of a grim defensive battle, the Kursk operation has ...

It was a battle that devoured the strength of the German armed forces, and demonstrated the growing effectiveness of the Red Army and maturity of its general staff. The battle opened on July 5 1943.