In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a stark warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring that the war is now "coming home" to Russia. This pronouncement comes in the wake of Ukraine's cross-border attack in the Kursk region, which has become the largest incursion on Russian soil since the war began. The week-long Ukrainian offensive has forced tens of thousands of Russian civilians to flee their homes, presenting a significant challenge for Putin's leadership.

 

The assault on the Kursk region marks a critical moment in the conflict, as it represents the most significant penetration of Russian territory by Ukrainian forces in more than two years of war. In response, Putin accused Ukraine of attempting to "intimidate society and to undermine stability," claiming that the operation was orchestrated "with the help of its western masters" as part of a broader strategy to gain leverage in future peace negotiations.

 

Zelensky, in his nightly address, was resolute in his message: "Russia brought war to others, now it’s coming home. Ukraine has always wanted only peace, and we will certainly ensure peace." His words underscore Ukraine's determination to not only defend its own territory but to take the fight to Russian soil in a bid to shift the dynamics of the conflict.

 

Despite the Ukrainian incursion, Putin remained defiant, dismissing any suggestion that Ukraine's actions in Kursk would halt Russia's advances on the eastern front. He asserted that his forces continue to make gains in the Donbas region and vowed to "kick the enemy out of our territory." However, the situation in Kursk is emerging as a significant test for Putin, who now faces the challenge of being the first Russian leader to lose territory to a foreign power since World War II.

 

In a meeting with top security officials and regional governors, Putin acknowledged the growing losses among Ukrainian forces but maintained that the situation was under control. "The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces are increasing dramatically for them, including among the most combat-ready units, units that the enemy is transferring to our border," he stated. However, the Ukrainian advance has been significant, with reports indicating that Ukrainian troops have penetrated more than 20 miles into Russian territory, capturing towns and villages along the way.

 

Oleksandr Syrsky, the head of the Ukrainian military, confirmed that his forces had seized 386 square miles of Russian land. "The troops are fulfilling their tasks. Fighting continues along the entire front line. The situation is under our control," Syrsky said.

 

The crisis has spread beyond Kursk, with Belgorod becoming the second Russian region to be evacuated. The governor of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, warned that Ukrainian forces were active along the border and began moving residents to safer areas. "For the health and security of our population, we’re beginning to move people who live in Krasnoyaruzhsky to safer places," Gladkov announced on Telegram. He later issued a missile alert for the entire region, advising residents to "go down to the basement [and] stay there until you receive the all-clear." The evacuation of Belgorod has added to the growing number of displaced Russians, with more than 130,000 people now having fled their homes.

 

Despite the severity of the situation, Russian state media has attempted to downplay the invasion, portraying Russian forces as having the upper hand. However, this narrative has been undermined by videos circulating on social media, showing civilians fleeing their homes amidst scenes of devastation. Kommersant, a Russian newspaper, reported growing outrage among some Kursk residents who have challenged the official narrative, accusing the government of lying about the true state of affairs and leaving locals to fend for themselves.

 

The incursion has also sparked criticism within Russian political circles. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and a member of the Russian parliament from Putin's United Russia party, criticized the military's failure to adequately protect the border. "Regrettably, the group of forces protecting the border didn’t have its own intelligence assets," Gurulev lamented. "No one likes to see the truth in reports, everybody just wants to hear that all is good."

 

While Zelensky’s administration has been tight-lipped about the specific objectives of the cross-border operation, the move appears to be a strategic effort to relieve some of the pressure on Ukrainian forces, who have been facing steady Russian advances along the front lines in Donbas. Although there have been indications that Moscow is redeploying certain battalions from the 600-mile front, Russian military leaders have been hesitant to shift their focus away from the east.

 

"Right now, they do not want to have to stop their offensive in the east. But if we are able to maintain our positions [in the cross-border operation] for more time, they will be forced to," a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official told The Times.

Amidst the escalating conflict, a separate incident added to the growing tensions between the two nations. A fire broke out at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, with both sides trading blame for the incident.

 

Zelensky accused the Russian military of starting the fire, while Yevgeny Balitsky, the Russian-installed governor of Zaporizhzhia, claimed that Ukrainian shelling was responsible. Despite the fire, both sides reported that there had been no changes in radiation levels around the plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has requested immediate access to the cooling tower at the facility to assess the damage. The UN body has previously urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a nuclear accident.

 

As the conflict intensifies and the war increasingly encroaches on Russian territory, the stakes for both sides continue to rise. Zelensky’s warning that the war is "coming home" to Russia serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and escalating nature of this conflict, with far-reaching implications for both Ukraine and Russia.

 

 

Credit: The Times  2024-08-14

 

 

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4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Ukraine has always wanted only peace, and we will certainly ensure peace."

That might have been more meaningful but for Ukraine's assault on Donbas since 2014.

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That might have been more meaningful but for Ukraine's assault on Donbas since 2014.

Ukraine assaulting Ukraine! 🤣

At some point, if these attacks on Russia continue and if Russia deems them to pose a threat to their country, both Ukraine and much of the rest of Europe will find out the hard way that attacking Russia was a very bad idea.  
 

Apparently, NATO is heavily involved in the recent incursions into Russia.  Anyway, it will all end badly if it doesn’t stop soon.

It is absurdly stupid as a PR stunt and will end badly - Ukraine invading Russia - what could go wrong?

25 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

It is absurdly stupid as a PR stunt and will end badly - Ukraine invading Russia - what could go wrong?

Yet another region, Belgorod just issuing a state of emergency, The Ukraine Special Operation is going exceedingly well 

4 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Yet another region, Belgorod just issuing a state of emergency, The Ukraine Special Operation is going exceedingly well 

That’s a problem, whether you realize it or not.  Russia will, at some point, strike back at the perpetrators.  It won’t end well.

11 minutes ago, jas007 said:

That’s a problem, whether you realize it or not.  Russia will, at some point, strike back at the perpetrators.  It won’t end well.

What makes you think this was a long term incursion planned by Ukraine? You don't think they've thought of that already?

13 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That might have been more meaningful but for Ukraine's assault on Donbas since 2014.

What would the government of YOUR country do if regions were infiltrated by a hostile power and were trying to separate? Pretty much every country responds to that military action. I'm not buying your Kremlin propaganda blaming Ukraine for this war.

I don't know what the result of the actions by Ukraine will be. However, the west has been giving them enough to not lose but never enough to win and always telling them what they can't do for IRRATIONAL fear of Putin's bullying. Putin is not going to use nukes. Ukraine has figured that out. Ukraine could have fully won this war years ago if the west hadn't been controlling them by the short hairs. I think Ukraine is teaching the west a lesson with this as much as Putin who is now totally humiliated beyond all imagination. Sure it's a risk. It's a war. If you aren't taking risks, you've already lost.

 

 

Edited August 14, 20241 yr by Jingthing

9 hours ago, jas007 said:

That’s a problem, whether you realize it or not.  Russia will, at some point, strike back at the perpetrators.  It won’t end well.

The Russian response seems missing at present, but IMO they are allowing them to advance and then cut off their supply line, which effectively means the end of the incursion. Anyway, that's what I'd do.

"Russian forces are rapidly digging a network of trenches in Kursk Oblast, with only one catch:

The trenches are 45km behind the border. 

Russian forces have been developing a trench network that, if fallen back to, would cede Ukraine a massive amount of territory."

 

https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1823548238433050845

 

47 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

The Russian response seems missing at present, but IMO they are allowing them to advance and then cut off their supply line, which effectively means the end of the incursion. Anyway, that's what I'd do.

Bakhmut 2.0. Reel them in and pick them off at leisure.

 

I see no strategic value in this incursion other than to try and capture the nuclear power plant to strengthen a weak negotiating position. A desperate, all in last ditch effort that has failed abjectly. 

Great statement from Kirby!

 

"This is Putin’s war against Russia.  And if he doesn’t like it, if it’s making him a little uncomfortable, then there’s an easy solution: He can just get the hell out of Ukraine and call it a day." - White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2024/08/12/on-the-record-press-gaggle-by-white-house-national-security-communications-advisor-john-kirby-21/

4 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

Bakhmut 2.0. Reel them in and pick them off at leisure.

 

I see no strategic value in this incursion other than to try and capture the nuclear power plant to strengthen a weak negotiating position. A desperate, all in last ditch effort that has failed abjectly. 

You appear to be totally unfamiliar both with Bakhmut and what's happening in the Kursk region.

16 hours ago, BobBKK said:

It is absurdly stupid as a PR stunt and will end badly - Ukraine invading Russia - what could go wrong?

It can't go any worse than Russia's 2 day war to take over all of Ukraine.

Just bomb Moscow and wipe it of the face of the earth ....  and destroy Putin's palaces ,  flatten them.  

4 minutes ago, ChicagoExpat said:

You appear to be totally unfamiliar both with Bakhmut and what's happening in the Kursk region.

Whatever.

23 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That might have been more meaningful but for Ukraine's assault on Donbas since 2014.

That might have been more meaningful but for Russia's total destruction of Chechnya (twice) for wanting the same thing you claim Russians in Donbass want and should be granted.  In fact no country allows a region to simply declare independence, especially when it's clear a hostile foreign power is instigating it.

3 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

Whatever.

If you need time to consult with Beijing as to how to answer, just take it and answer later.  It's better than answering immediately while showing zero ability to respond when it's demonstrated that you're posting bullsh!t.

11 hours ago, jas007 said:

That’s a problem, whether you realize it or not.  Russia will, at some point, strike back at the perpetrators.  It won’t end well.

But Russia's got lots of men, and recruits from Nepal, India, West Africa, etc, so even when it doesn't end well, they'll still have guys to maintain their war.

10 hours ago, Jingthing said:

However, the west has been giving them enough to not lose but never enough to win

Because it’s a good business model for the MIC

Edited August 15, 20241 yr by novacova

Is it two weeks yet ?

1 hour ago, Gweiloman said:

Bakhmut 2.0. Reel them in and pick them off at leisure.

 

I see no strategic value in this incursion other than to try and capture the nuclear power plant to strengthen a weak negotiating position. A desperate, all in last ditch effort that has failed abjectly. 

Actually there is more. The gas lines to Europe run through it.

I equate it to the Ardennes campaign that Hitler launched as a last gasp. That one ended in failure when they ran out of fuel, much like this one will, IMO.

57 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Just bomb Moscow and wipe it of the face of the earth ....  and destroy Putin's palaces ,  flatten them.  

Following which all your family and everyone you love dies too.

21 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Yet another region, Belgorod just issuing a state of emergency, The Ukraine Special Operation is going exceedingly well 

 Wait and see

5 hours ago, ChicagoExpat said:

It can't go any worse than Russia's 2 day war to take over all of Ukraine.

 Russia are still advancing in other areas - you will see the Ukrainians totally destroyed then come back and spin it as you usually do

2 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

 Wait and see

 bless. The Russians are currently digging defense positions 45 miles inside their own borders.

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

 bless. The Russians are currently digging defense positions 45 miles inside their own borders.

 French tried it; Germans tried it - wait and see. Ukraine troops will get massacred as they are now. Nearly Game Over as this is a position for negotiation when they surrender.

Just now, BobBKK said:

 French tried it; Germans tried it - wait and see. Ukraine troops will get massacred as they are now. Nearly Game Over as this is a position for negotiation when they surrender.

What are they trying?