On the sixth day of Ukraine’s advance into Kursk Oblast in southern Russia, there’s growing evidence the Ukrainian invasion corps—some or all of up to five 2,000-person brigades plus at least one 400-person independent battalion—plans to stay.
The Ukrainians are digging trenches. Anticipating static warfare along or near the existing front line, the Russians are digging in, too.
That both sides are fortifying their positions doesn’t mean the Ukrainians are done advancing. Nor does it mean the Russians can’t counterattack—and push the Ukrainians back to the border, 10 miles away.
But it does mean that stabilization of the front line—and a long-term Ukrainian occupation of part of Kursk—is on the table.
I guess the idea is to force a simple trade of occupied territories.
Let’s hope for a fast conclusion.
I’m guessing they’re trying to draw resources from the Ukrainian front, which might allow them to reclaim territory.
All of the above. It’s a brilliant play.
And if they get attacked, just retreat slowly to minimize casualties and then make another incursion on the opposite end of the country. But I’m sooo hoping that they retain the land.
Yes of course. Given that Russia has only been able to make minimal territorial gains given their current troops distribution, it is questionable to me whether they can continue or even hold these gains with more stretched out lines.
Facing more or less permanent occupation of actual Russian territories Putin might be actually willing to negotiate.
They’re also moving into higher ground, which will be difficult to dislodge them from once they’re appropriately entrenched.