"Well-planned, but risky": military expert on fighting in Russia's Kursk region

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"Today, everyone is watching the fighting in the Kursk region. These events have completely changed the narrative of the war, when everyone was trying to assess the consequences of Russia's war of attrition. In particular, that Russia has more resources and is constantly putting pressure on our defense lines along the entire front. Now the situation has changed. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have shown that it is possible to conduct a defensive operation in such a way as to mislead the enemy, force them to change their plans, and even impose their initiative. This all applies to the events taking place in the Kursk region," explained Zgurets.

The analyst noted that Russia has already started redeploying forces and equipment from certain parts of the frontline in Ukraine.

"We can talk about the operational, tactical and strategic goals of the Ukrainian Defense Forces' operation in the Kursk region. However, this operation remains very risky. When we talk about tactical goals, we are talking about the destruction of enemy forces and means. As for the operational goals, the purpose of this operation may be to force the enemy to redeploy forces and resources from other areas. By the way, this is already happening. In particular, the enemy is moving its troops from near Kupiansk, Chasiv Yar and Vovchansk. If we consider strategic goals, it is better to talk about strategic effects. Because the perception that Russia can constantly conduct offensive actions is changing. This is not true, and Ukraine can impose its own decisions. In general, the operation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Kursk region is quite well planned, although it is risky," he added.

What is known about cross-border raid in Russia’s Kursk region

On August 6, the authorities of Russia's Kursk region stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces allegedly tried to break through the Russian border, but were allegedly pushed back. Later, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that "the Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group retreated to its territory.”

Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate refused to comment on the statements regarding the Kursk region. However, NV media, citing its own source in Ukrainian intelligence, wrote that the events in the Kursk region "definitely did not involve fighters of the Russian Volunteer Corps, who are fighting as part of Ukraine's Armed Forces.”

The Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian Defense Ministry, acting governor of the Kursk region Alexei Smirnov, and some propagandists have different versions of the events in the Kursk region.

On August 7, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin convened the Russian military leadership to discuss the situation in the Kursk region, which he called a "large-scale provocation." At the time, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called on the international community to "strongly condemn the Kyiv regime's criminal attacks on Russian territory."

On the same day, Russian media reported that workers at the Kursk nuclear power plant feared that the plant's management had not prepared for a possible attack by the Ukrainian armed forces.

Additionally, in the Kursk region, the Russians have started forming UAV operator units from civilians, providing them with up to 10 hours of training.

On August 7, a state of emergency was introduced in the Kursk region.

On August 8, the Institute for War Studies reported that Ukrainian troops confirmed advancing up to 10 km deep into the Kursk region as mechanized offensives continued.