Ukrainian forces push deeper into Kursk despite Russian reinforcements
1:44 PM EDT, August 12, 2024
"Russian reinforcements are unable to repel the Ukrainian invasion," reports the "Financial Times." The newspaper cites Ukrainian soldiers participating in the offensive in the Kursk region.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, published recordings and reports from both Russian and Ukrainian sources on August 10 and 11 indicate that Ukrainian forces are advancing west and northwest in the Kursk region, which is based on geolocation data.
The American Institute also states that "Russian sources largely claim that Moscow's troops have stabilized the situation." However, online photos and videos suggest the Ukrainian offensive maintains momentum.
This information is also confirmed by the "Financial Times." The newspaper spoke with Ukrainian military personnel participating in the operation in the Kursk region. The soldiers confirmed that the Russians could not halt the Ukrainian advance despite the reinforcements. "We are going deeper," said Denys, a Ukrainian soldier who has rotated to Russian territory three times since the invasion began.
His unit was transferred to the area of operations from the eastern Donetsk region over a week ago. "We are confident of Ukraine's victory," said Kostyantyn, another soldier participating in the offensive. He also added that the initial successes have significantly boosted the morale of his comrades and himself.
Ukraine's counteroffensive: the ultimate goal of the operation remains unclear
The "Financial Times" emphasizes that the goal of the Ukrainian operation "remains unclear." However, it is known that Kyiv has designated its most elite brigades for this mission.
The operation has demonstrated that the Russian border is still poorly protected, which has given the Ukrainians a significant boost in positive energy and morale.
The newspaper highlights that analysts believe Ukraine might be aiming to leverage the Kursk offensive to strengthen its position in possible future negotiations.