Hammad
Ukrainian forces recently released video by the Kremlin shows a tense moment where Russian President Vladimir Putin listens with visible frustration as General Valery Gerasimov, the commander-in-chief of Russia’s military, delivers concerning updates from the Kursk region. This situation unfolded amid reports of a significant Ukrainian military incursion into Russian territory—a move that caught Russian forces by surprise and has since sparked widespread alarm.
In what can only be described as a bold and unexpected military maneuver, Ukrainian forces, supported by tanks and air defense systems, advanced into the southern region of Kursk. This marked a significant escalation in over two years of conflict, with Ukrainian troops penetrating more than 20 kilometers into Russian territory. Consequently, Russian soldiers began surrendering in large numbers, while civilians in and around the town of Sudzha hurriedly fled, taking with them whatever they could carry.
President Putin characterized this Ukrainian action as a major provocation, prompting the region’s acting governor to declare a state of emergency and describe the situation as “very difficult.” Despite the ongoing conflict in eastern Donetsk, where Ukrainian forces have been losing ground, this bold incursion seems aimed at confusing Russian forces and compelling the Russian Defense Ministry to divert resources. Additionally, it served to boost morale on the Ukrainian home front.
According to George Barros from the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian forces achieved operational surprise by exploiting Russia’s unpreparedness along its border. This tactic is reminiscent of a similar successful operation in September 2022, when Ukrainian forces rapidly reclaimed much of the occupied Kharkiv region.
Moreover, the Russian regiment responsible for defending this part of the border was unable to hold its position, resulting in the capture of several dozen soldiers. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the forces involved, particularly for capturing enemy soldiers, which could be used in future prisoner exchanges to secure the release of Ukrainians held by Russia.
Further reports indicate that a column of Russian reinforcements was destroyed by a missile strike near the town of Rylsk. This success was potentially due to Ukrainian forces hacking into Russian traffic cameras along the highways. Aleksander Kots, a Russian blogger who had traveled the route, noted the presence of operational cameras that may have been exploited by the Ukrainian military.
Meanwhile, with Russian communications reportedly jammed by Ukrainian electronic warfare, the advancing brigades encountered little resistance. By the end of the first two days, they had seized control of more than 250 square kilometers of territory. Notably, this included a natural gas transit hub near the border, a critical facility through which Russia supplies Europe with gas. Although a Ukrainian military channel claimed the facility was under their control, Russian energy giant Gazprom asserted that the pipeline remained operational.
As a result of this unexpected incursion, a wave of anger and frustration swept through Russia. Former regional commander Andrey Gurulyov called for an investigation into the decision to withdraw military units from the Kursk region before the attack. At the same time, thousands of civilians in the area fled their homes. The head of Rylsk—a city located some distance from the Ukrainian advance—reported that more than half of the city’s 15,000 residents had left. Social media became inundated with videos of frustrated civilians criticizing the military’s slow response and directly appealing to President Putin for assistance.
In summary, this surprising Ukrainian assault has not only disrupted Russian military operations but also triggered unrest and concern within Russia itself. The ongoing challenges faced by Russian forces in this conflict continue to unfold in unexpected ways.
