Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his troops’ positions in Russia’s Kursk region are being “strengthened” as the deepest offensive across the border since the war began 2.5 years ago continues. Yesterday, Russian officials claimed Ukraine had “completely destroyed” a strategically important bridge used to supply its troops, and Ukraine claimed it was still making progress and now controls over 80 Russian settlements. It is the largest attack on Russian soil since World War II, and experts say it represents a significant change in dynamics as Ukraine asserts itself in the conflict.
How did Ukraine do this?
This was made possible by the supply of military equipment and ammunition from the West. Russian officials say the “terrorist invasion” will not change the course of the war, and while it is too early to say if it will, it is embarrassing for Russian President Vladimir Putin… Experts say his military did not see the attack coming because Ukraine had superbly planned the secret offensive (which even Ukraine’s allies did not expect…), which resulted in it controlling more than 1,000 km2 of enemy territory. Ukraine has spent weeks building up a force of soldiers from “battle-hardened units,” and since crossing the border, air defenses, supporting artillery and jamming devices to disrupt Russian military communications have kept the offensive going. Analysts say it shows there is “no such thing as war fatigue” in Ukraine, as it blew up a second Russian bridge overnight…
What happens next?
Ukraine’s long-term plan is unclear – it could advance further into Russian territory or return to its own front line, where Russian troops are reportedly making progress. Experts say it depends on whether the goal is to make Moscow understand that “great powers don’t lose their territories” or whether it really wants to harm Russia. Either way, even Putin’s staunchest allies are worried. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said leaders should “sit down at the negotiating table and end this scuffle.” Whether anyone could broker ceasefire talks is still uncertain… Before that, Ukraine may have bigger problems to deal with, as experts warned that the condition of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is “deteriorating” after a drone attack on Saturday. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said he was concerned about the safety of Europe’s largest nuclear facility and called for “maximum restraint from all sides.”
