Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has revealed the goal of the daring military incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, stating that it aims to create a buffer zone to prevent further attacks by Moscow across the border. The operation began on August 6 and has since caused significant disruptions to Russia’s supply lines. Ukraine’s air force has been particularly effective, striking a key bridge in the region and a second nearby, which has complicated Moscow’s attempts to replenish its forces and evacuate civilians.
Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk, Ukraine’s air force chief, released a video of an air strike that cut the first bridge in two, and the second bridge was hit less than two days later, according to Oleshchuk and Russian regional governor Alexei Smirnov. However, Russian Telegram channels claimed that the second bridge was destroyed in the village of Zvannoe, a claim that could not be independently verified.
The destruction of the bridges has given Ukraine significant gains in the region, with Commander in Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi claiming that his forces had advanced across 1,000 square kilometers of the region. While Ukraine could try to consolidate its gains inside Russia, analysts say that it would be risky due to its limited resources and vulnerable supply lines extending deep into Kursk.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy (Via Volodymyr Zelenskiy/Twitter)
Despite the challenges, the incursion has proven Ukraine’s ability to seize the initiative and has boosted its morale. The operation has also proved a significant embarrassment for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had previously stated that Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region was aimed at creating a buffer zone.
Meanwhile, Moscow has responded to the incursion by increasing attacks on Kyiv, targeting it on Sunday with ballistic missiles for the third time this month. Ukrainian air defences struck down all the missiles, according to the head of the municipal military administration. Belarus has also massed nearly a third of its army along its border with Ukraine, according to authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. However, Ukrainian border force spokesman Andrii Demchenko said that it had not observed any sign of a Belarusian build-up.
The situation on the ground remains fluid, with Ukraine’s military continuing to push deep into Russia’s territory. While the risks are significant, the incursion has given Ukraine a much-needed boost, and the world is watching to see how the situation will unfold.
