Additional Coverage:
- The Kremlin is trying to convince Russians to accept Ukraine’s Kursk incursion as a ‘new normal’: report (newsbreak.com)
On August 16, 2024, the scene outside a reception center for war-displaced individuals and humanitarian aid in Kursk was telling of the ongoing tensions. Amidst these developments, reports suggest the Kremlin is pushing Russians to accept the Ukrainian military’s presence in the Kursk region as inevitable.
According to Meduza, an independent Russian news outlet, unnamed officials close to the Russian Presidential Administration claim that the government is using propaganda to encourage the public to delay any actions to reclaim Kursk until Ukraine is defeated in the eastern part of the country.
This information was translated by the Institute for the Study of War.
Ukraine unexpectedly attacked the Kursk region on August 6, catching Russian troops off guard and quickly seizing about 386 miles of territory. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s army chief, recently noted that Ukrainian forces are now 22 miles inside the region.
Russia’s response to this incursion has been hampered by its intricate military organizations and a lack of preparedness. Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that a Russian general had disbanded a unit responsible for defending the Kursk borders several months before the attack, significantly weakening the region’s defenses.
The Institute for the Study of War also noted that Russian media is downplaying the significance of Ukraine’s advances in Kursk while focusing on portraying Russian military actions near the Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk as major victories.
This selective reporting might serve to give the Kremlin more time to strategize a response to the situation in Kursk.
Moreover, on Sunday, the ISW highlighted that Russian President Vladimir Putin and the military leaders are prioritizing their operations in eastern Ukraine, viewing it as a key component of their strategic long-term goals against Ukraine.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces in Kursk have claimed the same amount of territory as Russia has captured throughout the year, in addition to destroying at least two bridges and securing their positions. However, the effort to sustain this advance in Kursk raises risks, including overextending forces which could be detrimental for Ukraine.
A commander expressed concerns to the Financial Times about Russian advancements in eastern Ukraine due to Ukrainian resources being diverted to Kursk, leading to a rationing of ammunition. Matthew Savill, from the Royal United Services Institute, also warned that maintaining positions in Kursk could stretch Ukrainian manpower too thin, potentially leading to unsustainable commitments.