Ukrainian forces launch large-scale counterattack, occupy about 350 square kilometers of Russian territory

After Ukraine launched a cross-border raid into Russia, the two sides have been engaged in fierce combat for three days. This is Ukraine’s boldest counteroffensive plan since the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Washington think tanks estimate that Ukraine has seized 11 settlements, equivalent to gaining control of about 350 square kilometers of land in Russian-occupied territories.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that on Thursday (August 8), Russian forces and special units repelled the largest invasion by Ukraine since the outbreak of the conflict in 2022.

Videos verified by the Financial Times and Western analysts showed Russian armored convoys attacking Ukrainian positions, resulting in significant damage to cities and towns. Witnesses reported Moscow’s fighter jets flying over these areas, with dozens of Russian soldiers being captured.

Russian authorities claimed that about 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers took part in the operation, stating that Kyiv had lost 600 military personnel and 82 armored vehicles, although these figures could not be independently verified.

Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor of Kursk, stated that thousands of residents had been evacuated.

On Wednesday, Russian President Putin met with his top military officials, describing the attack as a “large-scale provocation,” blaming Kyiv for targeting civilians. Local authorities reported at least five fatalities and dozens injured.

Ukraine’s assault began at dawn on Tuesday, focusing on the Russian town of Sudzha and its surrounding areas. Concerns arose over potential disruptions in transportation as the region hosts a gas transit station supplying natural gas to Central Europe.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), monitoring the conflict, reported that Ukrainian forces had occupied 11 settlements, leading the Financial Times to estimate that Ukraine had gained control of an area of about 350 square kilometers.

Citing independent analysts, The Guardian reported that Kyiv’s forces had advanced deep into Russian territory up to 10 kilometers.

Russian military bloggers noted that the fighting occurred east of Korenevo, on a highway 13 miles north of the border, while the western part of Sudzha, about 6 miles (approximately 9.65 kilometers) from the Ukrainian-Russian border, appeared to be under Ukrainian control.

During a speech on Thursday evening, Ukrainian President Zelensky did not directly reference the ongoing battles in Kursk, but he stated, “Russia brought the war to our land, it should feel everything it did.”

While prior similar incursions have occurred, it is the first time Ukraine’s regular army has been significantly involved in such operations.

At least four regular army brigades took part in this raid, as shown in verified videos. Analysts believe this indicates careful planning behind the operation.

However, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated on Wednesday that the US was not informed in advance of the offensive and would request more details from Ukraine, despite providing equipment and advice.

“We provide them with equipment, we provide them with advice. But in terms of the tactical decisions they make on a day-by-day basis… Sometimes we are in close coordination on those, sometimes we are not,” he added.

Videos from the battlefield confirmed the presence of American Stryker armored vehicles and German Marder infantry fighting vehicles inside Russian territory. Miller stated that Ukraine using Western equipment in the operation fell within permissible actions.

A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense did not confirm if Ukraine utilized Marder tanks but stated, “The goal declared by the German government is to support Ukraine in fighting Russian aggressors.”

The European Commission stated on Thursday that Ukraine had a “right to self-defense,” which includes combating enemies on its own territory.

Australian retired Army Major General Mick Ryan wrote in an assessment report on Thursday that the attack may aim to “slow down or stifle Russia’s ongoing offensive until 2024.”

As Ukraine launched its counteroffensive, Russian forces continued advancing deeper into Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

Ryan suggested that other strategic objectives might include “boosting” Ukrainian morale and shifting the narrative towards a more positive depiction of Ukraine in the war.

He proposed that seizing territory before negotiations could be another goal, believing that holding enemy territories improves negotiating positions.

Zelensky stated in his evening address, “The more pressure is applied to the aggressor who brought war to Ukraine, the closer peace will be.”

He emphasized that Ukraine would “achieve peace through strength.”