By attempting to enter the Kursk region, Ukraine made negotiations with Russia impossible, President Vladimir Putin stated. Ukrainian troops have not demonstrated new breakthroughs, are losing scarce vehicles and manpower amid stalled defences in Donbas and the Kharkiv region, while there is still no understanding of Kyiv’s intentions.
Lost hope for talks
Putin held an operational meeting on the Kursk Region situation.
But what kind of negotiations can we even talk about with people who indiscriminately strike civilians, civilian infrastructure, or try to threaten nuclear power facilities? What can we talk about with them at all?
Commenting on the situation in the border regions, the Russian leader said that Moscow’s priority task would be to “push” Ukrainian troops out of the border regions.
By its actions in the Kursk region, Kyiv is trying to improve its negotiating position. The situation in the region shows why [Ukraine] has refused peace offers from Moscow and mediators.
Russia further mobilised
Military officials noted that 28 settlements in the Kursk Region are currently under Ukrainian control. About two thousand people live in the area.
The breakthrough of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region is 12 kilometres, with the front line stretching up to 40 kilometres. Of the 180,000 people to be evacuated, 121,000 have left the dangerous area, according to the report.
Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov also spoke at the meeting, where he named four conditions for success in an armed confrontation. Among those are: modern high-accuracy weaponry, new tactics using unmanned systems and robotic systems, an effective command and control system, including artificial intelligence, and improved training of military personnel, mainly commanders.
Current situation in Kursk region
According to Ukrainian media, the command is making tactical mistakes, such as persistently fighting for Martynovka, in which Ukrainian troops lost several armoured groups during the day. Meanwhile, the offensive in the town of Sudzha stalled.
Russian soldiers gained full control of the urban-type settlement of Korenevo, Ukrainian sources reported. However, reports vary from increased activity of Ukrainian troops to their complete standstill.
Some sources report fighting for the village of Snagost and in the north-east of the village of Kremyanoe. Meanwhile, the fuss about the capture of Beloe village by Ukrainian troops is believed to have been a provocation, according to Ukrainian media. Footage of a Russian drone strike on a cluster of Ukrainian equipment is circulating on the Internet.
Despite the tactical doubtfulness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ (AFU) attacks on Martynovka, military experts note that Ukrainian soldiers are in serious mood, with fighting likely to be fierce in the coming days.
Against the backdrop of strengthening offensive efforts, Kyiv continues to pull down scarce equipment to the Kursk region. However, the move deprives Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk regions) and the Kharkiv region of equipment needed for defence.
Near the village of Giryi, locals spotted Ukrainian BTR-4E APCs (armoured personnel carriers). Ukrainian media reported that fighters of the Russian Akhmat Special Forces seized the APC and were transporting it to the rear.
Russian media also published a video of the strike on the Ukrainian radar station.
AFU defence on other frontline areas stalled
According to Ukrainian media, Russian forces have taken control of the mouth of the Zherebets River, Donbas area.
In the Toretsk area, the Russians have also advanced between Zalizne, formerly Artemove, and the town of Niu-York, formerly known as Novhorodske. Ukrainian commanders also note a major Russian advance near the Panteleimonivka-Oleksandropil line.
In the Vuhledar area, Russian troops advanced near the Solodke-Vodiane road, at the intersection of the Kostiantynivka-Vuhledar road.
Global media not understanding Ukraine’s intentions
The Economist reports that the Ukrainian forces have thrown their most capable units into the Kursk region. Despite the rapid progress of the military operation, the results remain “inconclusive.”
On early evidence, the results are inconclusive. Russia has shifted troops from the Kharkiv front, but so far it has moved far fewer from the vital Donbas front.
A source in the Ukrainian General Staff also points out the tactical skill of Russian commanders:
Their commanders aren’t idiots. They are moving forces, but not as quickly as we would like. They know we can’t extend logistics 80 or 100 km.
According to The Economist, wounded Ukrainians complain of heavy losses from Russian air strikes.
The Guardian reports that Ukraine could try to seize the Russian nuclear power plant at Kurchatov near Kursk. However, the plant is more than 30 miles away from the current fighting. It is believed that it would be difficult for Ukrainian forces to get that far.
Ukraine’s leaders and its military have said little about the purpose of the incursion. It is generally believed to be intended to ease pressure on the eastern Donbas front where Russian forces have been grinding out advances.
With its actions in the Kursk region, Ukraine intended to strengthen its position ahead of possible negotiations. However, after Putin announced that peace talks were impossible against the backdrop of the Ukrainian incursion, many questioned the Ukrainian command’s intentions, especially amid Ukrainian officials’ statement of readiness for talks.
