The Ukrainian operation, which began on August 6, marks the largest attack on Russian soil since World War II and involves up to 10,000 Ukrainian troops supported by armor and artillery, according to military analysts. Despite the scale of the operation, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stated that Kyiv has no intention of occupying Russian territory and aims to stop missile attacks on Ukraine from Kursk. Ukraine claims control over 74 settlements in the Kursk region, while Russian officials report evacuating over 100,000 people.
A video report by Ukraine’s 1+1 TV channel showed burnt-out Russian military vehicles and Ukrainian soldiers distributing humanitarian aid in Sudzha, a Russian town near the border, further highlighting the intensity of the conflict. The Kremlin faces a dilemma of whether to pull troops from the critical Donetsk front line to defend Kursk, a move that could impact its broader war strategy.
U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged the challenges this operation poses for Russian President Vladimir Putin but withheld further comments due to the operation’s secrecy. The Institute for the Study of War noted that the incursion is unlikely to change the overall dynamics of the war but has certainly embarrassed the Kremlin as Russian civilians grapple with the impact of the attack.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that the operation is also meant to boost morale in Ukraine after 900 days of war, reinforcing the country’s resilience and military capabilities. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported destroying 117 Ukrainian drones and four missiles across eight regions overnight.
