Ukrainian army apparently continues to advance

The Ukrainian army is under pressure at home and is launching a relief attack across the border into Russia. And it is apparently making great progress in the Kursk region.

Today, the Kursk region is still at the forefront of Russian news. However, the Russian state media is not reporting exactly what is currently happening militarily in the west of the region – for example, how far Ukrainian units were able to advance in this advance that was apparently launched completely unexpectedly.

With a stony face, President Vladimir Putin listened yesterday to the statements of Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who was connected via video: “On Tuesday, August 6, at 5:30 a.m., units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with up to 1,000 men began an offensive. Their goal was to capture part of the territory of the Sudzhansky district in the Kursk region. The actions of the State Border Guard and support units with air strikes, rocket and artillery fire stopped the enemy's advance deeper into the area towards Kursk.”

Heavy losses were inflicted on Ukrainian units, more than 80 armored vehicles were destroyed, and almost 700 Ukrainian soldiers were wounded or killed, the Russian Defense Ministry said via Telegram.

State of emergency in the Kursk region

Nevertheless, the state of emergency is still in effect in the Kursk region. Around 3,000 residents from villages near the border have been brought to safety. Fighting continues. A well-known Russian military correspondent, whose vehicle was attacked by a kamikaze drone, is in hospital with serious injuries. There were deaths and injuries.

Russia, which has been waging war against Ukraine for two and a half years, called on the international community to condemn the attack.

Protection of the nuclear power plant strengthened

The Russian National Guard increased protection of the Kursk nuclear power plant, a good 60 kilometers from the border. It is quite possible, said military expert Yuri Fedorov yesterday on an independent YouTube channel, that this nuclear power plant is the target of the advance: “If the Ukrainian troops can capture and occupy the Kursk nuclear power plant, then there is a prospect of exchanging the Kursk nuclear power plant for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.”

Tactical operation to replace nuclear power plants?

If this option is implemented, it would be a success that goes beyond the scope of a tactical operation, the Russian military expert continued. However, it is only a guess that the Ukrainian nuclear power plant occupied by Russia is to be freed by force. Zaporizhia is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It is currently shut down for security reasons because of the war in Ukraine.

It is more likely that the move is intended to tie down Russian army forces. Or does Ukraine want to gain a better position in future ceasefire and peace negotiations?

The motives are not yet certain. Much remains unclear regarding the Ukrainian advance into Russian territory – while fighting continues there, 600 kilometers southwest of Moscow.