In a cross- border incursion on Tuesday, Ukraine attacked the Kursk region of Russia. This move is unprecedented as this is the biggest attack made by Ukraine on Russia since the Russia- Ukraine war began in February, 2022. Since then, there have been several other attacks near the Russian border.
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Kyiv’s attack on Russian Kursk
The incursion started when Ukraine infiltrated the Russian border with almost 20 combat vehicles, 1000 soldiers and 11 tanks on Tuesday. The two forces have engaged in fighting in western Sudzha, 10 kilometres from the border. Sudzha is a pipeline (which passes through Ukraine, and has remained operational despite the conflict) transit hub for the export of Russian natural gas to Europe.
The two forces have exchanged attacks in various villages where warnings have been issued to advise residents against travelling anywhere. Areas near the border have been evacuated to avoid any more casualties. Videos posted online also show scenes from Kursk, with smoke rising from the ground and fighter jets flying low.
Kyiv confirmed another attack on Thursday night, on a Russian military air base in Lipetsk. Russia claimed to have intercepted 75 such drones. Ukraine has been using long- range drones to initiate strikes.
Russian retaliation
Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly condemned the Ukrainian attack and disregard for civilian safety, calling it a “major provocation”. There have been at least 5 civilian casualties and 31 people have been injured. Russia has declared a “Federal- level” emergency in Kursk; which it does when there are more than 500 deaths or damage worth over 500 million Roubles (or $6 million).
This is the first test of Andrei Belousov’s leadership, since he became the Russian Defense Minister in May. Earlier today, the Russian Anti- Terrorism Committee enforced anti- terror measures in Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk.
Moscow retaliated by striking a mall in Kostiantynivka in broad daylight. The attack killed around 14 Ukrainians and injured 44 others. Russia had attacked the town once before, as well when it struck an outdoor market, causing 17 deaths.
Although the Russian government has assured that the situation has been stabilised and the “advance” has been stopped, reports suggest otherwise. Valery Gerasimov, a senior Russian official said that they were able to render a significant portion of the Ukrainian troops useless. Local reports, however, revealed that there was still “heavy” ongoing fighting and that the situation in Kursk is “continuing to deteriorate”. The Ukrainian troops are said to have advanced 35 kilometres into the Russian borders.
Ukraine’s strategy
July was the second most violent month (after October 2022) as there were 219 conflict- related deaths in Ukraine. Ukrainian MP Honcharenko stated that the attack on Russia was necessary to take back initiative and to show that the “Americans and Europeans” need not fear Putin’s reaction or him turning to nuclear arms.
A video has also surfaced showing that a Ukrainian battalion has apparently taken control of Gazprom’s gas- measuring facility in Sudzha. The strategic reason behind the incursion is simple. Kyiv aims at forcing Russia to mobilize its troops from Eastern Ukraine and minimizing Russian influence inside its borders. The attack will also help Ukraine in any negotiations with Moscow. Though Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has refrained from commenting on the attack, he alluded to it by saying, on Thursday, that the Ukrainian troops succeeded in surprising (Russia).
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