Advertisement
Supported by
After several days of fighting in southwestern Russia, both claim their successes. The fighting continues.
By Kim Barker
Reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine
Russia is repelling Ukraine’s biggest attack on Russian territory since the beginning of the war, sending reinforcements, tight security measures in border areas and carrying out air movements, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. One of the moves against Ukrainian troops concerned a thermobaric missile that causes a shock wave and suffocates those in its path, the ministry said.
But even as Russia halted the immediate advance of Ukrainian troops who introduced a marvelous cross-border attack in the southwestern Kursk region five days ago, Ukrainian forces appear to be holding firm. They claimed on Saturday to have captured a small village in the neighboring Belgorod region, and analysts say their forces reached at most Kursk the town of Sudja, about six miles from the border.
Pasi Paroinen, an analyst at the Black Bird Group, a Finland-based organization that analyzes satellite images and social media content of the battlefield, said in an interview that evidence suggests Moscow could block major advances into Russian territory until the end of the period. . week.
“We are now entering the phase where simple breakthroughs have been made,” he said of Ukraine’s initial advance. “This phase, in the first three days, has seen the fastest movement,” he added. “And yesterday, I think, to see the effects of the Russian response. “
What all this means for Ukraine is still unclear. In the third year of a war that seems largely frozen along a 600-mile front line in eastern and southern Ukraine, the resolve through Ukrainian forces to cross the border into Russia is likely over. It surprised not only Russia, but also the United States and other Western countries. Partners and analysts who spend their days following troop movements during the war.
Some have speculated that Ukraine hopes to pull Russian troops away from the front lines in Ukraine, giving battle-weary Ukrainian troops a well-deserved rest, but analysts say that hasn’t happened.
Thank you for your patience as we determine access. If you’re in player mode, log out and log in to your Times account or subscribe to the full Times.
Thank you for your patience as we determine access.
Already subscribed? Access.
Do you want all the Times? Subscribe.
Advert