By In a stunning development in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, Ukrainian forces have reportedly captured 28 Russian soldiers without firing a single shot during a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, according to Ukrainian military sources.
The operation, which began on August 6, has seen Ukrainian troops advance into Russian territory, allegedly gaining control of over 500 square miles and approximately 100 settlements. General Oleksandr Syrsky, head of the Ukrainian army, claims his forces have taken nearly 600 Russian prisoners in total during this offensive.
Junior Sergeant Maksim, a 35-year-old former chef on a British oil tanker now serving in the Ukrainian military, provided details of the bloodless capture. According to Maksim, his unit encountered a group of “terrified” Russian soldiers after a Ukrainian tank aimed its turret at their bunker.
“They were not in the mood for fighting and were afraid,” Maksim told The Sun newspaper. “They held up their weapons to show they surrendered, then we pointed our guns upwards to show that we accepted.”
This incident highlights the apparent low morale and readiness of some Russian forces facing the unexpected Ukrainian advance. The Kremlin has reportedly rushed to contain the incursion, with General Syrsky stating that Moscow has relocated 30,000 troops to Kursk from other areas of the front lines.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank, estimates that Russia would need approximately 60,000 soldiers to reclaim the lost territory once Ukrainian forces establish defensive positions.
However, the situation remains fluid, with Russian forces continuing to make advances in other areas, particularly around the strategic city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. Russian troops are reportedly within five miles of this key Donetsk region transportation hub, whose capture could significantly disrupt Ukrainian military logistics in the area.
The Ukrainian incursion into Kursk has involved the redeployment of thousands of experienced Ukrainian units from the eastern front, potentially affecting Ukraine’s defensive capabilities in other regions.
As the conflict enters this new phase, both sides face significant strategic challenges. The Ukrainian advance into Russian territory marks a bold and unexpected move, while Russia grapples with defending its own borders while maintaining offensive operations within Ukraine.
International observers and military analysts continue to closely monitor these developments, which could have far-reaching implications for the course of the conflict and regional stability.
Source: express.co.uk
