A week has passed since the start of the Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region of Russia, which borders Ukraine. The Ukrainian offensive began unexpectedly on August 6, and in a few days Ukrainian forces took control of more than 200 square kilometers of the Russian Kursk region. Now Ukrainian control extends up to 30 kilometers deep, and Kyiv says it controls about 1,000 square kilometers. The Ukrainian military's success in the Kursk sector has captivated the world.
"From 'Kyiv in three days' to Ukrainian forces entering Russia after 2.5 years of war", Republican Senator Lindsey Graham did not hide his shock at the latest developments at a meeting with Zelensky, calling the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operation in the Kursk region "bold, brilliant and beautiful." He has expressed hope that Ukraine would receive more military aid from Congress in 2024.
And Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal called the frontline breakthrough in the Kursk region historic: "This is a seismic breakthrough. This is good news, great news that promises even more potential breakthroughs."
The French Ministry of Defense believesthat "this attack could force Russia to bring in troops from other sectors, thus reducing the pressure in areas where the Ukrainian armed forces have had difficulties so far."
Kremlin leader Putin accused Ukraine of a "provocation," and a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said the Ukrainian military "tried to sow panic among the region's residents" by attacking the Kursk region. She also called on the international community to respond to the events.
The United States also reacted to the events in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the United States is communicating with Ukraine about the operation in the Kursk region of Russia and that it is not unusual for "the Ukrainians not to inform us of their exact tactics before they implement them."
European Commission spokesman Peter Stano also commented on the events in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, saying that under international law Ukraine "has the legitimate right to defend itself, including by striking the aggressor on its territory".
The global Western media also reacted to the offensive. "A blow to the reputation of the Russian military and Putin himself," the Washington Post wrote of the attack on the Kursk region. "Ukraine and Russia have reversed roles", noted the New York Times.
"The invasion of western Russia by Ukrainian troops is the biggest challenge to President Vladimir Putin since the Wagner mercenaries' uprising in 2023", The Washington Post headlined the offensive. The publication's analysts concluded that Russia will not be able to quickly stop the offensive in the Kursk region, and the Ukrainian attack itself is a major blow to the reputation of the army and Putin personally.
And Forbes noted, "Ukrainian forces are digging trenches in the Kursk region, which could indicate that they plan to stay there for a long time.
The Guardian, citing officials, notes that the goal of the Kursk operation for Ukraine is to destabilize Russia, and notes that "Kyiv caught Russia off guard by striking a weakly defended section of the frontline - which has not seen significant fighting since the spring of 2022 - and breaking through limited defenses on the border".
The fact that the invasion caught the occupiers' defenses by surprise was reported throughout the Western press.
Author: Zoryana Romanchuk