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The Kyiv Independent: 'Destroying us little by little:' Ukrainian troops worried about fate of Kursk operation
The Kyiv Independent - ‘Destroying us little by little:’ Ukrainian troops worried about fate of Kursk operation
Ukraine clings onto its captured territories in Russia’s Kursk Oblast at all costs for leverage in possible peace talks.
by Asami Terajima
December 2, 2024 10:51 PM
Editor’s note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first name only.
Nearly four months after Kyiv launched a surprise cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, some Ukrainian soldiers are increasingly pessimistic about the costly operation.
“Aviation is a key factor, and (Russian troops) are throwing all the aerial bombs every night, destroying us little by little,” said Ukrainian serviceman Oleksii with the 80th Air Assault Brigade that is currently deployed in Kursk Oblast.
When Ukrainian forces unexpectedly opened a new front in the northeast in August by breaking through Kursk Oblast, it was a significant morale-boosting moment for the country. Ukraine continued to advance forward day by day, shocking even Western allies with the stunning operation, despite being severely outgunned and outmanned across the front.
While unable to quickly prevent a deepening Ukrainian advance, Russian forces eventually began to counterattack in September to push the Ukrainians out. Military analysts say that there have been three waves thus far, with an upcoming one expected in December. Nearly 60,000 Russian troops are deployed in Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne reported on Nov. 22, citing an undisclosed General Staff source.
The Kursk operation — the first time Russia was invaded by another country’s army since World War II — kicked off three months before uncertain U.S. presidential elections. Ukraine's grip on Russian territory has given it leverage in potential negotiations. But that grip is weakening. Reuters reported on Nov. 23, citing Kyiv's senior military source, that Ukraine has lost over 40% of the territory it previously captured in Kursk Oblast.
Russia could begin a larger push in December in an attempt to reclaim the entirety of Kursk Oblast before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump enters office in January 2025, according to Oleksandr Kovalenko, a Ukrainian military and political analyst with the Kyiv-based think tank Information Resistance.
/snip
Ukraine clings onto its captured territories in Russia’s Kursk Oblast at all costs for leverage in possible peace talks.
by Asami Terajima
December 2, 2024 10:51 PM
Editor’s note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first name only.
Nearly four months after Kyiv launched a surprise cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, some Ukrainian soldiers are increasingly pessimistic about the costly operation.
“Aviation is a key factor, and (Russian troops) are throwing all the aerial bombs every night, destroying us little by little,” said Ukrainian serviceman Oleksii with the 80th Air Assault Brigade that is currently deployed in Kursk Oblast.
When Ukrainian forces unexpectedly opened a new front in the northeast in August by breaking through Kursk Oblast, it was a significant morale-boosting moment for the country. Ukraine continued to advance forward day by day, shocking even Western allies with the stunning operation, despite being severely outgunned and outmanned across the front.
While unable to quickly prevent a deepening Ukrainian advance, Russian forces eventually began to counterattack in September to push the Ukrainians out. Military analysts say that there have been three waves thus far, with an upcoming one expected in December. Nearly 60,000 Russian troops are deployed in Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne reported on Nov. 22, citing an undisclosed General Staff source.
The Kursk operation — the first time Russia was invaded by another country’s army since World War II — kicked off three months before uncertain U.S. presidential elections. Ukraine's grip on Russian territory has given it leverage in potential negotiations. But that grip is weakening. Reuters reported on Nov. 23, citing Kyiv's senior military source, that Ukraine has lost over 40% of the territory it previously captured in Kursk Oblast.
Russia could begin a larger push in December in an attempt to reclaim the entirety of Kursk Oblast before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump enters office in January 2025, according to Oleksandr Kovalenko, a Ukrainian military and political analyst with the Kyiv-based think tank Information Resistance.
/snip
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