Ukraine's bold offensive: Russian generals blindsided in Kursk
For the first time since World War II, a foreign army has invaded the territory of the Russian Federation. It turns out that intelligence knew two weeks in advance about the impending invasion of the Kursk region by Ukrainian forces. "Military ignored warning signs of attack," Bloomberg reports.
1:02 PM EDT, August 9, 2024
According to the agency, "nobody briefed President Vladimir Putin" about preparations for Ukraine's most significant attack since the start of the war. The Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, who has led the Russian group in Ukraine since January 2023, also ignored this.
"Gerasimov is unlikely to be removed in the short term. [He] has been Russia’s Chief of the General Staff since November 2012 and was kept on by Putin in May during a shuffle of military and security officials after his inauguration for a fifth presidential term," a Bloomberg source claims.
Patience with Gerasimov is "running out"
An agency source emphasizes, "Patience in the Kremlin over his handling of the war is running out."
On Wednesday, Gerasimov informed Putin that the advance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region had been 'halted' and also promised the Ukrainian army's inevitable defeat.
This is what the area currently controlled by Ukrainian forces looks like:
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have expanded the control zone in border areas, occupying over 150 square miles.
Under their control is the city of Sudzha and a gas distribution station of the same name, through which Russian gas is delivered to Gazprom's last customers in Central Europe (Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia). At least 40 Russian soldiers, including conscripts and border guards, have been taken prisoner by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The attack surprised Russian generals
Despite intelligence warnings, the unexpected attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine surprised Russian generals. Bloomberg writes that the Russian troops turned out to be poorly prepared and initially practically did not resist the Ukrainian forces.
By Thursday, the Armed Forces of Ukraine had already taken control of at least 20 villages in the Kursk region. "The enemy has brought fresh forces into battle and is trying to break through in the direction of Lgov today," writes Russian military correspondent Yuri Kotenok.
According to official data, at least four people died, and 31 were injured in the fighting in the Kursk region. As previously reported by the Ministry of Health of the Kursk Region, 19 residents, including four children, were hospitalized.
