Ukraine has established a military administrative office in Russia’s western Kursk region, marking a significant development in its ongoing incursion into Russian territory. Gen Oleksandr Syrsky, Ukraine’s top military commander, announced this move during a meeting chaired by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, August 17, 2024.
According to Gen Syrsky, the office will “maintain law and order” and “meet the immediate needs” of the population in the area controlled by Ukrainian forces. He reported that Ukrainian troops have advanced 35km into the Kursk region, now controlling 1,150sq km of territory, including 82 settlements.
This incursion, now in its 10th day, represents Ukraine’s deepest penetration into Russian territory since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022. However, Ukrainian officials maintain they are not interested in “taking over” Russian territory. Heorhiy Tykhy, a Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman, stated on Wednesday that the incursion aims to pressure Moscow into agreeing to “restore a just peace.”
In response, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov announced plans to send reinforcements to “safeguard” the population in the affected region. Russia has also declared a federal level emergency in the neighboring Belgorod region, with 11,000 people evacuated from the Krasnaya Yaruga district on Monday.
The use of Western-supplied military equipment in this operation has raised questions. A UK source confirmed to the BBC that British-donated tanks have been used during the incursion. The UK Ministry of Defence reiterated Ukraine’s “clear right” to use UK-supplied weapons for self-defense against Russia’s attacks.
Equipment from the United States and Germany is also reportedly being used in the offensive. While these countries have not objected to the use of their equipment, concerns remain about potential escalation and Russia’s response.
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, with particular attention to how this incursion might affect the broader dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Western involvement.
A bbc story
