All when the war seemed completely lost for Ukraine, they strike into Russia.
Ukrainian forces have advanced further into Russia’s Kursk region in a surprise cross-border operation that even caught U.S. officials off guard, according to multiple American and Ukrainian sources speaking to CNN.
Grumpy Russians in #Kurska!#Russians of the Kursk Region recorded a 📹 message to #Putin.
They claim that the local administration is not working, there was no centralized evacuation, & the official statements from #Gerasimov that the situation is under control, are a big lie. pic.twitter.com/7IoiWGKDpM— Erik Korsas (@KorsasErik) August 8, 2024
Unlike earlier Ukrainian incursions into Russian territory, which typically involved covert units and local collaborators, this latest operation is composed of both regular Ukrainian forces and special operations teams. U.S. and Ukrainian officials say the mission has several goals: to disrupt and demoralize Russian troops, and to divert their attention from other critical areas on the eastern front. However, U.S. officials do not believe Ukraine plans to hold onto Russian territory for an extended period.
Russia initially claimed on Thursday that it had repelled the Ukrainian incursion, but later acknowledged that fighting was still ongoing in the Kursk region. According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, units from its “North” group, along with the Federal Security Service (FSB), are continuing efforts to eliminate Ukrainian forces in the Sudzhensky and Korenevsky districts, which are near the border with Ukraine. These claims have not been independently verified by CNN.
Residents of Sudzhansky District in Kursk have expressed concern about the situation. In a video message addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, they claimed he was being misled about the true state of affairs and that the Russian Defense Ministry’s reports of having the situation under control were false. This video was shared on a local Telegram channel focused on news from Sudzha, a town that has been under Ukrainian attack for several days.
One resident criticized the misinformation, stating, “These lies are leading to the deaths of local people. We were told the situation was under control, but today, intense fighting is happening in the Sudzhansky and Korenevsky districts.” Another resident added, “Sudzha was attacked and turned to ruins in just hours. The local administration was nowhere to be found.”
🔴 A Russian woman (likely from the Kursk region) says:
“Putin, please help! Please help, they are destroying villages there! What is happening there is terrifying! Please help!#Kursk #Kurskregion #KurskIsUkraine #KurskPeoplesRepublic pic.twitter.com/zOyHwN0mXe
— TürkVoiceDE (@aRationibus) August 8, 2024
The Russian Ministry of Health reported that 66 people, including nine children, have been injured due to Ukrainian shelling in the Kursk region since Tuesday. They added that medical supplies, including blood, are available in sufficient quantities. A mobile hospital with 100 beds has been set up by the Federal Medical and Biological Agency to treat the injured, as reported by Russian state media TASS.
Residents in the region have also complained about the lack of organized evacuations, saying they had to flee without their belongings or documents in the middle of the night. Communication lines have been disrupted, leaving them unable to contact family members still in the area. One woman, overwhelmed with emotion, said, “We escaped with just the clothes on our backs, and now we have nowhere to go, no compensation, and no money.”
While Ukraine has not officially confirmed its involvement in this operation, the Ukrainian state project “Hochu Nayti,” which provides information on Russian prisoners of war and casualties, claimed that a significant number of Russian soldiers were captured during the incursion into the Kursk region.
The situation remains unclear, including the extent of any damage or whether Ukrainian forces have taken control of any areas. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that any attempts by Ukrainian units to advance further into Russian territory are being thwarted. They also claimed that Ukraine had suffered heavy losses, but these assertions have not been verified.
‼️🇷🇺 Putin meets with the governor of the Kursk region
▪️The president said that he is generally aware of the situation in the region, asked Smirnov to report on what is happening now.
▪️The situation in the Kursk region requires courage from the acting governor to solve… pic.twitter.com/jNVNuZzjrx
— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) August 8, 2024
Ukraine’s allies, including the U.S., have reiterated their support for Ukraine’s right to defend itself. The Biden administration expressed surprise at the operation, with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating that they were not informed in advance. She emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
Major Points:
- Ukrainian troops have pushed further into Russia’s Kursk region, surprising U.S. officials and launching a cross-border operation involving regular and special operations units.
- The operation aims to disrupt and demoralize Russian forces while diverting their attention from other critical areas of the eastern front, though Ukraine is not expected to hold Russian territory long-term.
- Despite Russian claims of repelling the incursion, battles continue in the Kursk region, with reports of ongoing conflict in the Sudzhensky and Korenevsky districts.
- Kursk residents have criticized the Russian government’s response, reporting chaos, a lack of evacuation plans, and significant damage from Ukrainian attacks, with many fleeing without belongings.
- The Russian Defense Ministry alleges significant Ukrainian casualties and losses, but these claims remain unverified, and Ukraine has not officially confirmed its involvement in the incursion.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
