Russia’s Kursk Operation: A Long-Term ⁣Commitment for⁤ Ukraine

Last week, Russia announced the launch of an operation ⁢to ‍liberate the Kursk region. However, experts predict that this could take more than a month, ⁣as ‍the soldiers involved in the counter-offensive may not be sufficient, despite being approximately four times the number ‍of Ukrainian forces.

The ultimate success of the Kursk campaign for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) will now depend​ on the costs of defending ​the occupied territory, according to analysts. President​ Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear‌ that Ukraine intends to hold on to the area to use it as a bargaining chip in possible negotiations.‌ This means the armed forces have⁤ made a ⁣”long-term commitment,” said military expert Rob ⁢Lee, a senior‍ fellow at Britain’s Institute for Foreign Policy Research.

According to a Ukrainian military official, the Kursk operation was⁤ always planned ⁣so that the troops ⁤involved could‌ quickly return to Ukraine if the situation⁤ worsened significantly. ‌However, the armed forces of Ukraine are​ now preparing for flank defense and do ⁤not intend ​to seize new territories.

Ukraine’s Success ‍Depends ‍on Resource Commitment

From Ukraine’s ​perspective, ⁢the success of the Kursk operation depends on the resources​ committed‍ by each side, Lee said. “What resources Ukraine diverted is not the important‌ thing. This is normal as long as Russia deviates more.”

The Russian military has sent almost four⁢ times as⁤ many troops ⁢to Kursk than the roughly⁢ 10,000 reported to ‌be involved in the operation by the ⁣Ukrainian armed forces. A ⁤senior Ukrainian​ military intelligence officer reported⁢ that Russian forces ⁢number around 38,000, including several airborne assault brigades sent from the southern front.

Russia’s Counterattack: Not Yet Large-Scale

According to ‍a senior ‍Ukrainian military intelligence officer,⁢ the Russian counterattack cannot be called “large-scale” ‌yet. If Russia is to achieve more than just tactical successes, it will need to send additional combat-ready brigades to the front.

Military analysts agree that Russia will need‍ a lot more troops, and so far, ‍its military’s actions last week looked more like “searching” Ukrainian defenses. Units from the 51st Parachute Regiment​ and the ⁣155th Marine Brigade, as well as at least eight ⁤tanks, were seen in⁣ the counteroffensive.

Russia’s Military Strategy: A Concern

Russia’s decision to ‌deploy enemy troops on Russian territory has raised ‌concerns. Vladimir Putin has⁢ decided to accept the “obvious political cost” of this move and not ⁣rush to release them at any​ cost. This could‌ lead to⁤ a prolonged conflict, with both sides‍ committing more resources to the operation.