The main goal of Ukraine’s operation in Russia’s Kursk Region is to create a buffer zone, stated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his latest address. Currently, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are working towards this aim, he communicated.
“It is now our primary task in defensive operations overall: to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions. This includes creating a buffer zone on the aggressor’s territory – our operation in the Kursk Region,” Zelenskyy explained.
“Everything that inflicts losses on the Russian army, Russian state, their military-industrial complex, and their economy helps prevent the war from expanding and brings us closer to a just end to this aggression – a just peace for Ukraine,” the president added.
Meanwhile, The Economist has reported that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, considered three scenarios in preparing the offensive in Kursk. The command’s options included an attack on Bryansk Region to the north, an attack on Kursk Region, or a combination of these two or perhaps more attacks. All of this was aimed at diverting Russian attention from Donbas and creating advantages for future negotiations, journalists have reported.
The operation was successfully kept secret until the very last moment. As previous plans were thwarted due to leaks to the Russians and restrictions from allies, this time only basic facts were given to western partners. Syrskyi shared plans only with a narrow group of generals and security service staff, while also talking to the president face-to-face, yet without his staff. Intelligence was involved only at a later stage.
The current situation on the ground is that the Ukrainian advance into Russian territory has slowed. However, President Zelenskyy still seeks maximum progress, according to a source within the General Staff. But Syrskyi maintains a cautious approach, which focuses on expanding his flanks along the border to create stronger defensive lines. “Syrskyi is no fool. He knows that rushing ahead risks the whole operation,” the source noted.
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