The Kremlin is downplaying the events in the Kursk region

The Kremlin apparently decided to declare an anti-terrorist operation rather than martial law in order to reduce the scale of the attack to the Kursk region and prevent panic or negative reactions at home. This is reported in the latest report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The Russian authorities have also been prepared to take more radical measures in response to the situation.

Russian opposition publication Verstka said a source close to the Defense Committee of the Russian Federation Council said the Russian presidential administration had advised Russian MPs and senators not to mention events in the Kursk region ” to special order” or consider them as briefly as possible. possible and refer to official statements only.

Russian military bloggers suggested that the Kremlin formally declared war on Ukraine and criticized the Kremlin for not declaring martial law in lieu of counter-terrorism operations.

The declaration of martial law would have allowed the Russian authorities to take more radical measures, such as banning rallies and demonstrations, setting curfews and organizing defense production for the army, among other things. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stopped short of formally declaring martial law, has reiterated his reluctance to fully convert Russian society to military rule, and has refused to budge announced a general to prevent internal discontent that could threaten the stability of his regime.

Putin apparently appointed Alexander Bortnikov (head of Russia’s Federal Security Service) as head of the counter-terrorism operation, as Bortnikov had been an effective leader during a crisis that threatened the stability of his -inside Russia and the Kremlin regime.

ISW analysts believe that complex management of counter-terrorist operations by the FSB under Bortnikov could reduce the effectiveness of Russia’s response to Ukrainian operations.

Also, military analysts emphasize that Russian forces are defending themselves in the Kursk region more adequately after the arrival of additional conscripts and more personnel ready to fight from the front areas in Ukraine.