Battle of Kursk II: The Beginning

 

On August 7, 2024, at precisely 13:00, President Vladimir Putin urgently convened an unscheduled meeting of the Security Council.

It’s a stark reminder that on the 896th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, initially intended as a blitzkrieg-style operation, the Russian leader is now forced to address a stunning reversal: Ukrainian troops have launched an incursion into Russian territory.

Adding a layer of irony, the Russian military failed to detect the Ukrainian Armed Forces' preparations for this offensive. This oversight has not only embarrassed the Kremlin but has also taken Ukraine’s allies by surprise, perhaps contributing to the success of the operation.

The response from Washington and the European Union has been notably cautious. The U.S. is seeking to understand the situation through consultations with Ukrainian partners—a phrasing likely infuriating to Putin—while the EU maintains its support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense.

Reactions from China and Brazil are also noteworthy. These countries, who have been attempting to undermine President Zelensky’s peace plan and consistently refer to the conflict as the "Ukrainian crisis," might now find themselves needing to reconsider their terminology. Perhaps the "Russian crisis" is a more fitting label for the current situation.

Putin faces a dilemma. An invasion by a foreign military typically necessitates a declaration of war. Russian patriots are clamoring for this response. However, Putin might also seek support from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, appealing to this alliance for assistance.

Ukraine can now make a demand to Russia, Putin-style: peace in exchange for territory.

On the ground, the military situation remains fluid. Open Russian sources report that Ukrainian troops have occupied the western part of Sudzha, a regional center.

Ukrainian engineering units are reportedly moving into the occupied areas to construct defensive fortifications. The future plans of Ukraine’s military and political leadership are still shrouded in secrecy.

In these uncertain times, one thing is certain: the tides of war have shifted dramatically.

Glory to Ukraine!