Ukraine reports advances and captures as it pushes into Russia

Ukrainian forces have continued their significant cross-border operation into Russia’s Kursk region, entering its second week. They have reported advancements in territory, captured Russian soldiers, and destroyed a Russian bomber, all part of a large-scale assault targeting Russian military airfields.

As of Wednesday, Ukrainian assault troops reported advancing between 1-2 kilometers in various areas of Kursk. This information was shared by Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of the Ukrainian military, in a video on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Telegram channel.

On the same day, Ukrainian troops captured over 100 Russian soldiers, with plans to use these prisoners as leverage in future exchanges for Ukrainian detainees.

Additionally, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed that their forces were responsible for destroying a Russian Su-34 aircraft, which had been used to launch devastating glide bombs against Ukrainian positions and cities.

The Ukrainian incursion, which began on August 6, has sent shockwaves through the Kremlin. Analysts suggest this operation is one of the largest military offensives against Russian territory since World War II, potentially involving up to 10,000 Ukrainian troops supported by heavy armor and artillery.

Syrskyi claimed that Ukrainian forces have gained control over 1,000 square kilometers of the Kursk region. If verified, this would represent significant territorial gains in just a week, nearly matching the 1,175 square kilometers that Russian forces captured in the first half of this year, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a think tank based in Washington.

In a significant escalation, Ukraine reported conducting its largest attack on Russian military airfields since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. A Ukrainian security official highlighted that the objective of this operation was to diminish Russia’s air power advantages.

A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stated that Ukraine does not intend to occupy the Russian territories currently under its control. Their primary goal is to protect Ukraine from missile attacks launched from Kursk.

In a parallel development, Russia’s Belgorod region declared a regional emergency due to ongoing Ukrainian shelling. A federal emergency was declared in Kursk a few days earlier.

Local authorities in Belgorod, including Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, have described the situation as “extremely difficult and tense,” citing the destruction of homes and civilian casualties due to the attacks. He noted that around 5,000 children are being relocated to safer areas, and approximately 11,000 residents have fled, with around 1,000 seeking refuge in temporary shelters.

There is uncertainty surrounding how Ukraine may secure its newly acquired ground. The Ukrainian military claims to control 74 settlements believed to be small communities within the Kursk region. Russian officials maintain that over 100,000 people have been evacuated, mainly from Kursk.

Ukrainian media shared a report purportedly from Sudzha, a Russian town near the border, showing the aftermath of the fighting, including burnt-out military vehicles and Ukrainian soldiers providing humanitarian aid while taking down Russian flags.

One challenge for Russia is whether to divert troops from the front lines in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, where a breakthrough is deemed crucial for the Kremlin, to bolster defenses in Kursk and contain the Ukrainian incursion.

U.S. President Joe Biden commented on the situation, stating that it presents a real dilemma for Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, he refrained from providing further commentary on operational specifics.

The Institute for the Study of War cautioned that the incursion is unlikely to significantly alter the war’s dynamics. They pointed out that Russian officials are likely hesitant to redeploy troops engaged in combat operations elsewhere, fearing that it could impede progress in higher-priority areas.

The operation has caused embarrassment for the Kremlin as Russian citizens react to the ongoing conflict. One resident from Belgorod shared that public support for the war has waned amid continuous shelling.

She stated, “When explosions started near the city, people stopped openly supporting the war,” highlighting the shift in public sentiment as the conflict directly impacts civilians.

President Zelenskyy emphasized that the Kursk operation also aims to uplift Ukrainian morale after nearly 900 days of war. He urged the nation to unite and act decisively, mirroring the early days of the conflict when Ukraine took the initiative against Russian advances.

Zelenskyy affirmed, “We have proven once again that we, Ukrainians, are capable of achieving our goals in any situation — capable of defending our interests and our independence.”

Source: AP News