Ukraine’s Kursk Offensive Seizes 1,000 sq km as Putin Vows Retaliation
Ukraine’s military claims to have captured 1,000 sq km of Russia’s Kursk region in a bold offensive, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged a “worthy response.” Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s top commander, briefed President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, confirming the ongoing advance into Russian territory.
The unexpected assault has reportedly secured 28 settlements, with Russian officials acknowledging a 12km deep and 40km wide incursion. Putin condemned the attack, asserting it aimed to sow discord in Russia, and ordered his troops to “dislodge the enemy.”
The offensive comes amid Russia’s slow advances in eastern Ukraine, where intense fighting continues. Former Ukrainian defense minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk suggested that the operation is intended to distract Russian forces from the eastern front.
The situation has sparked concerns over the potential use of NATO-supplied weaponry in the attack, with Western nations wary of escalating the conflict. Despite this, US Senator Lindsey Graham, visiting Kyiv, praised the offensive as “bold, brilliant, beautiful.”
Meanwhile, over 121,000 people have fled the conflict-ridden Kursk region, with casualties mounting. Zelenskiy emphasized the operation as a necessity for Ukrainian security, stating, “Russia brought war to others, and now it is coming home.”
As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely, with both sides bracing for the next phase of this escalating conflict.
