 "How Ukraine’s incursion of Kursk has left Putin humiliated")
Ukraine recently executed a daring and unprecedented cross-border incursion into Russian territory, marking one of the most significant assaults on Russia since World War II.
This operation, which has pushed nearly 1,000 Ukrainian troops supported by tanks and artillery deep into the Kursk region, has reportedly left Russian President Vladimir Putin humiliated and scrambling for a response.
The surprise attack caught Russian forces off guard, forcing thousands of residents to flee and prompting the Kremlin to declare a state of emergency. “Putin is humiliated; we’ve embarrassed Russia once again,” a Ukrainian defence source told UK’s The Independent. “We have shown to the Russian people that their tsar cannot protect them.”
In the early days of the assault, Ukrainian forces systematically advanced through villages and towns in Kursk, capturing and holding strategic positions. Verified footage revealed a convoy of 15 Russian military trucks, destroyed and abandoned along a highway, their occupants killed in the fighting.
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Rybar, a prominent Russian military blogger, acknowledged the effectiveness of Ukraine’s tactics, describing how Ukrainian units successfully ambushed village after village. Moscow’s acting governor of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, admitted that the situation was “very difficult,” with thousands already evacuated.
How is the incursion by Kyiv an embarrassment for Putin?
Military experts have labelled the assault as the most significant on Russian soil in nearly 80 years. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy broke his silence five days into the operation, publicly acknowledging the incursion for the first time.
He praised his forces, stating, “Ukraine is proving that it really knows how to restore justice and guarantees exactly the kind of pressure that is needed — pressure on the aggressor.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe incursion not only embarrassed the Russian military but also showcased Ukraine’s capability, especially in the face of recent Russian advances around Donetsk and Kharkiv. Ukrainian special forces have been conducting long-range drone attacks deep into Russian territory, targeting military assets and critical infrastructure.
One of the most notable attacks occurred in the Lipetsk region, where Ukrainian drones struck a military airfield housing over 700 glide bombs. Additionally, Ukrainian forces launched an amphibious raid on the Russian-occupied Kinburn Spit in the Black Sea, destroying six Russian armoured vehicles and killing approximately three dozen personnel.
Despite the Kremlin’s efforts to downplay the severity of the incursion, verified reports indicate that Ukrainian troops have advanced 30 kilometres into Russian territory, with their operations reaching as far as the town of Sudzha.
The Russian defence ministry has attempted to maintain control over the narrative, releasing videos of fighter jets and helicopters purportedly striking Ukrainian columns, but the reality on the ground suggests otherwise. “We are going deeper,” The Financial Times quoted Denys, a Ukrainian soldier involved in the operation. “We feel confident of Ukrainian victory.”
Should Ukraine consider this incursion as a victory?
The success of Ukraine’s incursion has not only dealt a blow to Russian morale but also served as a powerful demonstration to NATO allies of Ukraine’s resilience and strategic prowess.
James Nixey, director of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House, stated that the operation proved Ukraine is still “in it to win it,” reinforcing the United States and the United Kingdom’s support for Kyiv, reported The Independent.
Mark Galeotti, a leading expert on Russian security, noted that the element of surprise was crucial to Ukraine’s success, stating, “It’s the biggest attack on Russia since the Nazis… It’s a huge embarrassment for Putin.”
The operation’s psychological impact on both Russian and Ukrainian forces cannot be overstated. Ukrainian soldiers, buoyed by their early success, have expressed renewed confidence in their ultimate victory.
Also Read: What does Zelenskyy gain from Ukraine's cross-border attack on Russia?
“This offensive really puts some new energy into the whole war machine,” a Ukrainian defence source remarked. Kostyantyn, another soldier, told FT, stating that the operation had “really lifted our spirits.”
The incursion also exposed critical vulnerabilities in Russia’s border defences, which remain weak despite more than a year of preparation.
The operation has demonstrated that Russian forces are still struggling to respond effectively to Ukrainian advances, even as they deploy reinforcements, including tank crews, artillery, and drone units, in a desperate attempt to halt the offensive.
What now?
As the incursion enters its sixth day, Russian forces continue to face significant challenges in pushing back Ukrainian troops. Despite their efforts, Ukrainian units remain entrenched in Russian territory, with no immediate plans to retreat.
“The situation is stable but very difficult,” admitted Smirnov, the acting governor of Kursk, as more than 76,000 civilians have been evacuated from the region.
Inside Russia, frustration and anger are growing, particularly among civilians who feel abandoned by their government. The head of Rylsk, a city in Kursk, reported that more than half of its 15,000 residents had fled. Social media videos revealed the frustration among civilians at the military’s sluggish response, with some appealing directly to Putin for help.
Military analysts suggest that Ukraine’s ultimate goal in this operation remains unclear. While it is unlikely that Ukrainian forces can hold large swaths of Russian territory, the incursion has already achieved several objectives: it has exposed Russia’s weaknesses, boosted Ukrainian morale, and forced the Kremlin to divert resources from other fronts.
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CNN quoted George Barros, an analyst at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, who stated, “The unfolding events demonstrate the extent to which Moscow has deeply depended on sanctuary in Russian territory to wage its war against Ukraine.”
Regardless of the outcome, Ukraine’s incursion into Russian territory marks a significant and humiliating episode in the ongoing conflict, challenging the Kremlin’s narrative of invincibility.
Also Read | US announces $125 million military aid for Ukraine: How can it help Kyiv fend off Russia?
With inputs from agencies
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