Kyiv. Ukraine surprised the world by intruding into Russia’s Kursk region. Ukraine captured 1263 square km of Russian territory in two weeks. With this, Ukraine has told the world that Russia cannot win this war unilaterally. However, starting the fight on another front has divided Ukraine’s army. This will affect Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. Experts say that this victory of Ukrainian President Zelensky is short-lived and can turn into defeat. Right now Ukraine’s focus is on Kursk, which is giving Russia a chance to advance in Pokrovsk of Donetsk.
Political expert Tatiana Stanovaya says that Russia is adopting its strategy of the Second World War. Its strategy has been to first let the enemy in and then surround and attack. Because of this, Ukraine’s Kursk operation may prove to be counterproductive for Zelensky. Ukrainian Army Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Sirsky said that the Ukrainian army has captured 1,263 square kilometers of Russia’s Kursk area. Our army has reached 28-35 km inside Kursk. According to Russian analyst George Barros, Russia was able to capture 1253 square km of Ukrainian land in the whole of 2024, while Ukraine has captured 1263 square kilometers of Russian land in 2 weeks. Ukraine’s pace has slowed down due to the escalation of the war in Kursk. Ukraine captured 1000 square km in the first week, but in the second week it has been able to capture only 263 square km.
The biggest drone attack on Moscow so far
Ukraine is also targeting Moscow with drone attacks. The Russian Defense Ministry said that air defense forces shot down 11 drones in and around Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that this is the biggest attempt to attack Moscow with a drone so far. Russia also shot down 8 Ukrainian drones in May 2023.
There will be no talks with Ukraine
Deputy head of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that the talks about peace with mediators who were not appointed by anyone are over. The Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk region means that there will be no talks between Moscow and Kiev until Ukraine is completely defeated.