Stunning Ukrainian invasion challenges Putin in Kursk Oblast

A stunning Ukrainian invasion of western Kursk Oblast in Russia poses the greatest challenge to the Russian leader since the Wagner mercenary uprising in June 2023, writes "The Washington Post." “It is a major slap in the face for the president (Putin). We have been unable to repel the enemy for several days,” says a Kremlin official.

The breach of Ukrainian military units into Kursk Oblast and their advance has been ongoing for four days, despite assurances from the General Staff that they "would be shattered and driven out." For the first time since World War II, a foreign army has invaded the lands of the Russian Federation, which has left high state officials and businessmen close to the Kremlin in shock.

The Washington Post reports that members of the bureaucratic and business elite have recently been discussing Vladimir Putin's potential plans to conduct military operations in neighboring NATO countries and seize cities such as Narva in Estonia.

“This is a huge blow to the reputation of Russian authorities, the military, and Putin. For two and a half years, Russian territory, excluding the occupied territories (in Ukraine), suffered minimal damage. It came only from drones,” said an eminent businessman who requested anonymity to "WP."

"This is truly a blow because it is clear that the leadership received a signal from intelligence, but 'no actions were taken',” admitted political scientist Sergei Markov, who is close to the Kremlin. "This is a failure of the entire intelligence system, and since Putin is responsible, it is clearly a blow to Putin,” he added.

The invasion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was a shock for the military and the country’s leadership, four Russian officials told "The Moscow Times."

“It is a major slap in the face for the president. For several days, we have been unable to repel the enemy. There is a threat to the region and the population of Russia. A country confident of its victory does not behave like this,” said an active state official.

According to people who have known Putin for a long time, during Wednesday's meeting with security forces leadership and in Thursday's public appearances, judging by his facial expressions and gestures, he was "dissatisfied" and "frustrated."

At least four specialized Ukrainian assault and mechanized brigades are involved in the attack on Kursk Oblast, reports "Financial Times" and "The New York Times." One brigade may consist of between 1,000 to 8,000 soldiers.

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk, who is now a government advisor, explained in an interview with "FT" that Ukrainian Armed Forces units demonstrated the ability to use a "new combined armed combat tactic" taught by Western instructors.

Military analyst Franz-Stefan Gadi from the International Institute for Strategic Studies described the situation to the NYT as a well-coordinated and planned combined armed operation. He noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have deployed electronic warfare systems to disrupt Russian operational control. They have also positioned air defense systems in Kursk Oblast to protect their advancing forces. Gadi added that highly effective mechanized units are progressing at a steady rate.

The operation involves air, artillery, and rocket systems.

Meanwhile, the Russian army has been conducting a relentless offensive in Donbas for months. In May, it entered the Kharkiv region, although it has been bogged down in border areas and has not been able to approach the city itself according to the plan.

Sources: New York Times, Washington Post, The Moscow Times, Forbes