Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has asserted that Ukrainian forces now control 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory as part of their largest cross-border incursion since the full-scale war began over two-and-a-half years ago. The offensive, focused on Russia’s Kursk region, has reportedly advanced up to 30 kilometers into Russian territory, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declaring that the war Russia brought to others is now returning to its own soil.
Despite Ukrainian claims, Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the operation as a “major provocation,” ordering his forces to expel Ukrainian troops from the occupied areas. The situation has led to the evacuation of thousands of civilians from the region, while analysts warn of potential escalations in Russian retaliatory attacks against Ukraine.
The offensive, while boosting morale among Ukrainian forces, poses strategic risks, including the potential for intensified Russian assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians.
