Russia acknowledged on Sunday that Ukrainian troops had made significant progress into the Kursk border region in an offensive aimed at destabilizing and stretching Russia’s armed forces, according to a Ukrainian security official.
Thousands of Ukrainian troops were deployed in a surprise operation to seize the battlefield initiative after months of slow Russian advances in the east.
The security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “We are on the offensive. The aim is to pstrandize the situation in Russia as they are unable to protect their own border.”
The Kremlin appeared caught off guard by the assault, leading Russia’s army to rush in reserve troops, tanks, aviation, artillery, and drones to try to stop it.
While the Ukrainian forces were able to penetrate up to 30 kilometers into Russian territory in some places, Russia’s defense ministry reported that it had thwarted attempts by Ukraine’s forces to break through deep into Russian territory using armored vehicles.
The Ukrainian official refuted Russia’s claim that Kyiv had deployed only 1,000 troops, stating that the actual number was in the thousands.
President Volodymyr Zelensky broke his silence on the offensive during his nightly address on Saturday, stating that Kyiv was “pushing the war into the aggressor’s territory.”
– ‘Helicopters over your head’ –
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine has faced continuous attacks but has now launched its largest and most successful cross-border offensive into the Kursk region.
Thousands of civilians have been evacuated from border areas, with more evacuations ongoing as Russia prepares for possible retaliatory action, including a large-scale missile attack.
Russia has declared a state of emergency in the Kursk region and launched a counter-terror operation in response to the incursion by Ukrainian forces.
Analysts believe that Kyiv launched the assault to relieve pressure on its troops elsewhere along the front line, but the situation remains tense as the intensity of the fighting has decreased slightly.
Despite the success of the offensive, Ukraine is bracing for possible retaliation from Russia, including missile strikes on key decision-making centers in Ukraine.
