Ukraine’s attack on Russia proves that Putin’s threats are misguided

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country’s attack in Russia’s Kursk region showed that threats of retaliation from the Kremlin were just a bluff. He also urged Kyiv’s allies to ease restrictions on the use of weapons obtained from abroad.

Zelensky said that Ukrainian troops now control more than 1,250 square kilometers and 92 settlements in the Kursk region. At the same time, Russia reported that Ukraine had hit a third bridge in the region, complicating Russia’s efforts to contain Ukraine’s offensive.

Ukraine’s surprise attack on Russian territory began on August 6, and became the largest attack on Russia since World War II. This operation, according to Kyiv, aims to create a buffer zone and weaken the Russian war machine.

Speaking before Ukrainian diplomats, Zelensky singled out allies who have provided long-range weapons but barred Kyiv from using them inside Russia, for fear of crossing “red lines” set by President Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

“We are witnessing a major ideological change – the naive and false concept of Russia’s red lines, which dominated the assessment of the war by some partners, has collapsed in recent days,” said Zelensky, as reported by ReutersTuesday (20/8/2024).

He emphasized that due to restrictions from allies, Ukraine cannot use the weapons it has to attack some Russian military targets. Zelensky urged allies to be bolder in their decisions to help Kyiv in this war.

“The world sees that everything in this war depends only on courage – our courage, the courage of our partners. On courageous decisions for Ukraine, on courage in support Ukraine,” he said.

Although Ukraine is carrying out attacks on Russian territory, Ukrainian forces are protected elsewhere. They are fighting to defend the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk, where Russia has been advancing in recent weeks.

Ukraine’s military said its troops had been involved in 63 engagements Monday against Russian forces on the Pokrovsk front, and expected the area to remain the focus of Russian attacks.

At the same time, Russia reported that a third bridge was hit and damaged on the Seym River crossing the Kursk region, which crosses the northeastern part of Ukraine. Military analysts say the bridges are part of a vital supply line for Russian forces defending the region.

Zelensky said Sunday that his forces were launching “maximum counter-offensive measures” aimed at creating a buffer zone and weakening Moscow’s military capabilities. More than 121,000 people were evacuated from nine border districts in the Kursk region, according to the Russian emergency ministry.

Meanwhile, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that Moscow was not ready to hold peace talks with Ukraine for now, given the attack in Kursk. Ukraine itself has demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory before it is willing to sit down for talks.

On the other hand, Ukraine is also facing heavy fighting near Pokrovsk, a transport hub for Ukrainian troops. Russian troops are now about 10 km from the outskirts of the city, according to the head of the local military administration, Serhiy Dobriak.

The war, which has killed tens of thousands of people and destroyed cities across Ukraine, still shows no sign of abating. Ukraine fears that support from its allies could wane as the war progresses.

(luck/luck)

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