Ukraine Says It’s Made Further Gains After Incursion Into Russia
BloombergAug 22
Analysts: Russia Prioritizes Offensive in Eastern Ukraine Over Defense of Kursk
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Above: Ukrainian military equipment is moved near the border with Russia on August 15, 2024. Image copyright: Libkos/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Despite Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region, Russian forces are "maintaining their relatively high offensive tempo" in Ukraine's east, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in their latest report on Thursday.
Since Ukraine launched its surprise offensive last week, it is estimated that it has advanced as far as 22 miles (35 km) into Russian territory. On Thursday, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his forces had claimed full control over the Russian town of Sudzha — roughly six miles (10 km) from the international border — strategically significant as it is home to a Russian terminal that supplies gas to Europe via Ukraine.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Ukraine's offensive into Kursk is having the desired effect of diverting Russian troops from Ukrainian territories to home turf, taking the pressure off Ukraine's defenses. However, there are also risks associated with this strategy. By sending elite troops to Russia, Ukrainian defenses may become more vulnerable to attack.
Pro-Russia narrative
It is the West who facilitated a coup in Ukraine, who supplied it with arms, and who sent military trainers to the country prior to the conflict. Their intelligence agencies have since played an active role in the fighting. There is no way that the Kursk offensive took place without the permission and active planning of the West.
