Ukraine’s goals through the Kursk operation

Ukrainian President Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief Syrsky discuss the situation in Kursk. Photo: X

Tactically, the Ukrainian military has focused on taking control of settlements like Sudzha, which is home to Russia’s vital rail and gas pipelines. This strategy has made it difficult for Moscow to provide aid to the front lines, forcing it to mobilize more forces to protect the border, thereby reducing the pressure on Ukrainian forces in Donetsk and other fronts.

In addition to a significant amount of territory, Ukraine also captured more prisoners in Kursk. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that having a large number of prisoners would give Kiev an advantage in negotiations, and could help Ukraine replenish its forces through exchanges. In addition, the Kursk raid also sent a clear message to Moscow: the special military operation has consequences for Russia itself.

In addition to Moscow, Kiev also wants to show Washington and the West that it is capable of delivering favorable results on the front lines. This is extremely important when US support for Ukraine may be affected by the upcoming presidential election.

Politically, Mr Sussex said the Kursk operation helped Kiev put pressure back on President Vladimir Putin and his Russian generals. Moscow’s slow response to the Ukrainian incursion highlighted some of the Russian military’s problems, although the Kremlin later made strong moves to push its opponents out of Kursk.

“The Russian government will face several scenarios because of Ukraine’s border operation. The first is that Moscow has failed to ensure the safety of its territory, which could cause public discontent. The second scenario is more positive, as it could become a driving force for national unity and increase support for the Kremlin. The third scenario is stability, with angry opinions contained in Kursk and not affecting political centers such as Moscow or St. Petersburg,” Mr. Sussex said.