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Ukraine-Russia war :On Thursday, Ukrainian forces executed a dramatic incursion into Russian territory, marking the most significant assault on Russia since World War II. Ukrainian troops, equipped with tanks and armored vehicles, advanced nearly a mile within a 24-hour period and gained control over 82 settlements, including the town of Sudzhа, which, with 5,000 residents, is the largest town captured by Ukraine so far in the conflict.
In response to this unexpected push, Kursk’s acting governor Alexei Smirnov has initiated the evacuation of the Glushkovo region, located about 28 miles northwest of Sudzhа. This move underscores the heightened urgency in the region.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has hinted at the potential for further offensive actions on Russian soil. In a recent Telegram statement, he stressed the need for legislative measures to ensure that Ukrainian soldiers involved in operations like the Kursk offensive receive all designated payments and benefits for frontline service.
The incursion has also seen significant involvement from British Challenger 2 tanks, which have been instrumental in the operation. The 82nd Air Assault Brigade, which has been operating these tanks since last year, played a key role in the offensive.
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv troops seize largest Russian town yet as Zelensky hints at further offensives
Ukraine-Russia war:Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior advisor to Zelensky, has indicated that this bold move is part of a broader strategy to coerce Russia into negotiations. According to Podolyak, the recent success demonstrates the severe impact of the conflict and is designed to pressure Russia into serious talks.
Former British Defense Secretary Sir Ben Wallace has praised the deployment of Challenger 2 tanks, emphasizing their critical role in Ukraine’s defense efforts. Wallace expressed confidence in the tanks’ effectiveness and underscored Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Amid these developments, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has called for an end to the conflict to prevent its spread into Belarus. He claimed that the West is encouraging the war to weaken both Russia and Ukraine, while urging both sides to negotiate peace.
Lukashenko’s comments come in the context of ongoing regional tensions. He warned against further escalation and indicated that Belarus would have no choice but to respond if provoked. Belarus has been a key ally for Russia, with parts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine being staged from Belarusian soil.
The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing military actions and diplomatic efforts shaping the course of the conflict of Ukraine-Russia war. In the meantime, Russian bombings in the Kharkiv region have resulted in casualties and significant damage, underscoring the continuing severity of the conflict.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, and its surrounding areas have been frequent targets of Russian aggression. For months, Russian forces have been relentlessly attacking Ukraine’s border regions with highly destructive guided bombs.
In a notable development, Ukrainian special forces have successfully captured a large group of Russian soldiers during their recent incursion into the Kursk region of western Russia. Vasyl Maliuk, the head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), announced that over 100 Russian troops were taken into custody.
Maliuk revealed on Telegram that the operation led to the capture of 102 soldiers from Russia’s 488th Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment and its “Akhmat” unit. This group represents the largest number of Russian soldiers captured simultaneously since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
According to an SBU source, Ukrainian forces executed a complex operation to overtake a heavily fortified Russian stronghold. The captured site, described as a well-defended concrete facility, included underground communications, living quarters, a canteen, an armory, and even a bathhouse. The successful capture of this large group of soldiers could potentially be leveraged in future negotiations, including a possible prisoner exchange.
Where is Sudzha?
Sudzhа is a town located in Russia’s Kursk region, near the Ukrainian border. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian troops had gained complete control of Sudzhа. This town, which had a pre-war population of about 5,000, is the largest Russian settlement captured by Ukraine’s forces since their cross-border incursion began over a week ago.
As the administrative center for the border area of Kursk, Sudzhа holds strategic significance. It surpasses other towns and settlements captured by Ukraine in size and importance. Zelenskyy indicated that the Ukrainian military is establishing a command office in Sudzhа, which may signal a potential long-term presence in the Kursk region or serve as a strategic message to Moscow.
While Zelenskyy did not provide detailed information about the office’s functions, he previously mentioned that Ukraine plans to distribute humanitarian aid to the town’s residents, emphasizing ongoing support and stability efforts for the area.
Zelinsky’s reason for the launching surprise incursion on Kursk region
The recent Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region has dramatically altered the dynamics of the conflict, triggering significant upheaval in the area. Russian authorities report that over 120,000 civilians have been evacuated, while Kyiv claims the capture of at least 100 Russian soldiers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that one of the primary motivations for this bold move was to bolster the security of neighboring Ukrainian regions. “By diminishing the Russian military presence along our borders, we bring ourselves closer to peace and genuine security for our nation,” Zelenskyy asserted on Tuesday. He emphasized that Russia must be held accountable for its actions.
While Russia has faced previous incursions during the war, the Kursk offensive stands out due to its scale, rapid execution, the involvement of seasoned Ukrainian brigades, and the extended duration of their stay within Russian territory. Western military analysts estimate that as many as 10,000 Ukrainian troops are participating in the operation. This incursion represents the first instance of foreign forces invading and holding Russian land since Nazi Germany during World War II.