Ukraine intensifies its cross-border attack on Russia while neighboring countries such as Belarus shield their borders.
Ukraine has carried out an unprecedented military incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk. This movement, which It’s been going on for six days now.marks the most significant operation since the start of the large-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian president, Volodímir Zelenskiindirectly addressed the operation in his Saturday night speech, mentioning efforts to “bring the war to the territory of the aggressor”. This statement underscores the strategic importance of the raid, which has taken Moscow by surprise and caused considerable embarrassment to Russian military leaders.
Although the specific objectives of the operation remain secret, military experts suggest it could be a tactic to divert Russian reserves of the intense fighting in the eastern Donetsk region in Ukraine. A presidential adviser even hinted that this operation could strengthen kyiv’s position in future negotiations with Russia.
Russian response and accusations of terrorism
The spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, has accused the kyiv Government of participating in terrorist activities with the sole objective of intimidating the Russian civilian population. Meanwhile, the acting governor of Kursk, Aleksei Smirnov, reported that the situation has stabilized after the entry of a “Ukrainian reconnaissance and sabotage group” into the Belovsky district.
In the midst of this escalation, Russia launched a drone and missile attack against kyivwhich resulted in the tragic deaths of two people, including a 4-year-old child. President Zelensky indicated that, according to preliminary information, Russia used a North Korean missile in the attackrenewing its call to Western allies for greater air defense support.
Regional implications: Belarus’ participation
In a parallel development, Belarus announced the deployment of additional troops to its border with Ukrainealleging violations of its airspace by Ukrainian drones. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko described these actions as a flagrant violation of the rules of conduct, while Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin called them a provocation.
This military incursion of Ukraine in Russian territory marks a turning point in the conflictraising tensions and potentially altering the strategic dynamics of the war.
