Ukrainian forces advance in Kursk as Russia prepares counterattack
CIA Deputy Director David Cohen assessed that the Ukrainian military intends to retain the territories seized in the southwest of Russia for some time, which will not be easy. He added that a Russian counteroffensive in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces are currently operating, should be expected.
During a security industry conference in Bethesda, Maryland, Cohen emphasized that it is to be expected that Russia will carry out a counteroffensive in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces are currently active. He also noted that Vladimir Putin will have to "reckon with the public's reaction to the Ukrainian army's occupation of part of Russia."
According to information provided by the CIA Deputy Director, Russia's recent territorial gains in the Pokrovsk region, in the Donetsk oblast, have resulted in significant losses and do not play a key strategic role.
On Tuesday, information emerged that Ukrainian soldiers also attacked the Belgorod region in Russia.
"Kursk operation": Ukraine on its successes
The Armed Forces of Ukraine launched an offensive operation in the Kursk region on 6 August. Kyiv reported an increase in the area controlled by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. According to Oleksandr Syrsky, the area occupied by Ukrainian armed forces has expanded to 488 square miles, with 100 settlements.
So far, Ukrainian forces around Kursk have taken 594 Russian soldiers into captivity.
The Ukrainian army entered without major problems, as the Russians did not anticipate the possibility of an invasion at all. The spring raids conducted in the region by Ukrainian-aligned fighting groups, Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), Battalion Siberia, and the "Freedom of Russia" Legion, were not even a warning signal for the Kremlin.
