Ukraine’s military has made a surprise move by launching an incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, claiming to have used high-precision US glide bombs to strike a Russian platoon base. The attack, which took place on August 6, resulted in Russian casualties and the destruction of equipment, according to video footage. The Ukrainian military argued that the incursion is essentially a defensive move aimed at minimizing attacks on Ukrainian soil from the Kursk region, which has been a hub for Russian operations.
The news has raised eyebrows, given that Ukraine’s backers had previously opposed the use of donated weapons for anything but defensive purposes. However, US officials have said that Washington supports Ukraine’s use of shorter-range weapons, such as glide bombs, in its attacks across the border. The Ukrainian military claims to have recaptured some territory in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, which had been under a Russian offensive since spring.
Despite the gains made by Ukraine, it is unclear how successful the operation will be in the long term. Russian officials reported some success in turning back Ukrainian forces in some areas of the Kursk region. Additionally, the incursion may have compromised Ukraine’s ability to hold back Russian forces who have slowly but steadily gained ground in the Donetsk region.
Ukraine Launches Surprise Incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region Using US Glide Bombs, Raising Tensions in Ongoing Conflict (Image via Getty)
The Russian Defence Ministry reported that its troops turned back Ukrainian attempts to advance on the Kursk region’s villages of Borki and Malaya Loknya. Ukrainian brigadier commander Andrii Biletskyi said that they attacked Russian troops that had superiority and won, adding that the ratio of forces on the battlefield was 2.5:1 in Moscow’s favor. However, the Associated Press was unable to independently verify the claims, and there was no immediate comment from Russia.
The development has raised questions about the implications for Ukraine’s ability to hold onto the territory it has gained, and whether this move could strengthen Kyiv’s hand on the diplomatic front. The situation remains uncertain, with both sides reporting gains and losses. As the conflict continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether Ukraine’s military incursion will be a game-changer in the ongoing struggle for control in eastern Ukraine.
