By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Significant Territorial Gains Reported Amidst Ongoing Conflict
Ukraine’s top commander has declared that Kyiv's forces now control 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory, marking the most extensive cross border incursion since the full scale war began over two and a half years ago. Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed that Ukraine is continuing its "offensive operation in the Kursk region," a week after it commenced.
President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that the conflict, initiated by Russia, is now being brought back to Russian soil. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled the offensive as a "major provocation" and commanded Russian forces to "expel the enemy from our territory." The escalation has led to the evacuation of an increasing number of residents from western Russia, with an additional 59,000 people ordered to leave.
Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor of the Kursk region, informed President Putin during a meeting that 28 villages had fallen to Ukrainian forces, resulting in the deaths of 12 civilians. He described the situation as "difficult." Ukrainian forces have reportedly advanced up to 18 miles (30 kilometers) into Russian territory.
However, there is skepticism surrounding the Ukrainian commander in chief's claim that his forces now control 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory. The U.S. based Institute for the Study of War expressed doubts that the entire area is under Ukrainian control. Smirnov informed Putin that Ukrainian forces had penetrated 12 kilometers into Russian territory, with the offensive stretching across a 40 kilometer width.
While the offensive has boosted morale among Ukrainian forces, analysts warn that it poses new risks for Ukraine. A senior British military source suggested that Moscow might intensify its attacks on Ukraine's civilian population and infrastructure in response to the incursion.
In a statement aired on state television, President Putin accused Ukraine of attempting to "sow discord, strife, intimidate people, and destroy the unity and cohesion of Russian society." He emphasized that the primary task of the defense ministry is to "dislodge the enemy from our territories." Smirnov reported that 121,000 people had been evacuated from their homes, with approximately 2,000 Russian citizens remaining in areas occupied by Ukrainian forces, whose fate is currently unknown.
In the neighboring Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced that 11,000 people had left the Krasnoyarsk district, which is closest to the border. He also warned that the entire region was on missile alert and advised residents to take shelter in their basements.
In his nightly address, President Zelensky acknowledged the offensive, stating, "Russia must be forced to make peace if Putin wants to fight so badly." He added, "Russia brought war to others, now it's coming home. Ukraine has always wanted only peace, and we will certainly ensure peace."
Ukrainian officials have reported that thousands of troops are involved in the operation, significantly more than the small incursion initially claimed by Russian border guards. One official informed the AFP news agency that their objective is "to inflict maximum losses and to destabilize the situation in Russia."
Kurt Volker, a former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, told the BBC's Newshour program that Ukraine's incursion could have political repercussions for President Putin within Russia. He noted that the incursion occurred "because of President Putin and the way he's conducted this war," and suggested that the Russian elites and public would not overlook this development.
During a meeting with President Zelensky in Kyiv on Monday, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham praised the cross border operation as "brilliant" and "bold," urging the Biden administration to supply Ukraine with the necessary weapons.
Meanwhile, in Russia, questions have been raised about how Ukraine was able to penetrate the Kursk region. Pro Russian war blogger Yuri Podolyaka described the situation as "alarming." In response, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that a tough response from Russia's armed forces "will not take long." Additionally, Russian ally Belarus announced that it is bolstering its own troop numbers at the border, claiming that Ukraine had entered its airspace with drones.
In a related development, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced late on Monday that it had inspected a damaged cooling tower at the Russian controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine following a fire on Sunday. However, the IAEA was unable to immediately determine the cause of the fire. President Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately starting the fire to "blackmail" Ukraine, while the Kremlin installed regional governor of Zaporizhzhia claimed it was caused by Ukrainian shelling.
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