Espreso. Global
OPINION

Kursk breakthrough: in search of purpose

12 August, 2024 Monday
16:54

The hard truth is that Ukraine cannot simply lose, having brilliantly launched a stunning raid to the north

client/title.list_title

Losing, in this context, means hitting the first real obstacles and then turning back home. If we do that, we’ll show the world a disgraceful image — one that makes this operation seem like nothing more than a childish PR stunt. Right now, that’s all the AFU’s raid in Russia’s Kursk region looks like.

Capturing the district center of Sudzha, with its 6,500 residents, isn't much of an achievement. The Russians could easily surround this tiny outpost and obliterate it, even if that means leveling it completely, civilians and all.

Taking over the gas distribution station a few kilometers from Sudzha? That’s hardly a win either. It won’t stop Russian gas from reaching Europe, which is what we’re aiming for. Even if we block it — so what? We could just as easily cut off that gas on our own territory, but we haven’t. Why? Because we’re still trying to appease our European partners who keep buying Russian gas. This isn’t worth risking for.

Even capturing Kurchatov and the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant doesn’t seem like a viable goal. Why? Ukrainians aren’t about to take a chance on terrifying Europe, where people are already terrified of any nuclear threat.

What about the impact on potential negotiations, using it as a bargaining chip? Perhaps, but there aren’t any negotiations happening now, and who knows when there will be. Would a small regional center and a handful of villages be enough leverage for Ukraine to reclaim all the territories Russia has taken — Donbas, Crimea, the Right Bank, Pryazovia?

So what should we do? The Russian army is already mobilizing its reserves. Their strategy? Pulling a company or battalion from each front. They’re too scared to expose their lines. But even with reinforcements, as recent battles show, they struggle to coordinate, let alone succeed.

In other words, they won’t pose a real threat — not in the first days, at least. We’ve already seen it with the crushed Russian column near Rylsk, where artillery and drones wiped out about 500 Russian soldiers in one blow.

That’s why we should take Kursk. Only capturing a major regional center can be a strategic win for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

Once we’ve secured Kursk, we can immediately start fortifying the north and east, using local equipment and specialists. This would be a serious move. I doubt the Russians would dare bomb their own city with anti-aircraft missiles or shell it.

And the people of Kursk, already terrified by propaganda about the "Ukrainian fascists," would flood the streets of Moscow in tight columns.

Then the real fun would begin for the Kremlin.

For Ukraine’s military and political leadership, this could be a golden opportunity to execute their strategies. Think this plan sounds fantastical? History is full of successful executions of such bold ideas. After all, we’re just playing Putin’s game — raising the stakes. He’s already scared. But what happens if he loses Kursk? How will Russia react to that?

Source

About the author. Viktor Moroz, Ukrainian publicist, columnist.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
12 February
21:45
Exclusive
Russian army does not hesitate to drop guided aerial bombs on its citizens: Ukrainian military on Kursk direction
21:33
Exclusive
How Ukraine shoots down ballistic missiles may remain classified
21:21
F-16 with JASSM-ER, illustrative photo
First F-16 photo during combat mission in Ukraine emerges online — what does it reveal?
21:10
Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania: Trump himself will decide to stand by Ukraine
21:00
Zelenskyy and Trump hold talks
20:50
Russia blocks IAEA experts' rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – Ukraine's MFA
20:40
Zelenskyy: Work on Trump’s plan to end Ukraine war likely to start in February
20:26
Ukraine wins 16 medals at 2025 Invictus Games
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russia is forced to retreat in some areas of Pokrovsk sector
19:51
UK pledges £150 million in military aid to Ukraine
19:36
“I prayed for Trump's protection at rally before assassination attempt” — Jason Sharron, Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania
19:25
NATO membership for Ukraine is unrealistic, says U.S. Defense Secretary Hagseth
19:10
Exclusive
Russia training surviving North Korean soldiers to reinforce troops in Kursk region
18:49
NATO must ensure negotiation results that Putin can’t overturn in six months or year – Rutte
18:11
600,000 Ukrainian children trapped in occupied territories: over 40,000 still enrolled in Ukrainian schools
18:00
Interview
Ukrainian Catholic Church priest in Pennsylvania on beauty of Ukrainian traditions and why Trump can be helpful for Ukraine
17:50
Supporting Ukraine is top foreign policy priority — Sweden’s top diplomat
17:32
'Putin will lose if he attacks NATO': Rutte on Russian threat in Europe
17:15
Exclusive
"Much hinges on Kellogg's meeting with Zelenskyy's team" regarding Trump's peace plan — Ukrainian MP
16:51
NATO Secretary General Rutte announces new military aid for Ukraine
16:37
White House power struggle: Trump ally Vitkoff’s Moscow move sparks clash over Ukraine policy
16:15
China assists Russian drone production with smuggled Western parts — Estonian intel
15:53
Zelenskyy says assassination attempts on him led to deaths in President's Office
15:42
Exclusive
European allies to announce new military aid after Ramstein meeting — Espreso correspondent
15:30
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
February 5-12 live war map: Ukrainian counterattacks yield results 
15:14
Soldier stabbed at Kharkiv recruitment center as Ukraine faces surge in attacks on military personnel
14:55
Updated
Ramstein meeting kicks off in Brussels: Key issues on the agenda
14:54
Russian soldiers seen attempting assault on Ukraine positions on crutches: video
14:32
Ukraine's Security Service uncovers FSB mole within its top ranks
14:15
Leaked video exposes Russian PSYOP: commander admits bombing civilians in Sudzha
13:55
Exclusive
Russia struggles with innovation, lacks time in weapons development — military expert
13:39
Exclusive
Lithium extraction in Ukraine with U.S. partnership may take 5–10 years, expert says
13:14
Wizz Air ready to resume flights with Ukraine within six weeks after ceasefire
12:54
Review
Trump, Zelenskyy, and rare earth resources: what Kyiv offers Washington
12:37
Affiliate Material
Lost husband at Azovstal, son couldn’t recognize her after captivity: Story of Alina Meleshko-Haburych from Azov regiment
12:17
Ukrainian hackers hit main contractor of Russian Gazprom – media
11:45
Review
Ukrainian forces counterattack, pushing Russian troops back in Pokrovsk direction. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:14
OPINION
Putin mocks Trump’s peace efforts
10:50
Russia shifts significant forces toward Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia
10:32
Exclusive
China's Xi to visit Moscow on May 9 in coordinated move against U.S. – Ukrainian diplomat
More news