Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, changed into first conceived within the Kremlin as a quick army operation. The expectation turned into that Russian forces might establish management over Ukraine within a remember of days or, at maximum, some weeks. However, almost a 1/2 years later, the battle rages on, with the conflict evolving differently than Moscow had supposed. Despite this, Russian officers, consisting of President Vladimir Putin, have repeatedly claimed that the operation goes “according to plot.”
Ukraine: Mounting Setbacks
The fact on the floor tells an extraordinary story. The Russian military has confronted good-sized demanding situations, which include heavy casualties, the destruction of a couple of warships inside the Black Sea, and drone attacks accomplishing deep into Russian territory, including the Kremlin itself. Russian forces have shelled towns and villages near the Ukrainian border, and Wagner mercenaries even staged a mutiny, marching on Moscow. Most recently, there has been a go-border assault by Ukraine forces on Russia’s Kursk place, adding to the list of setbacks that have plagued the Russian marketing campaign.
The Fog of War in Kursk
The state of affairs in the Sudzha district of Kursk is currently doubtful. Reports suggest that Ukrainian troops have entered the place, however the range of forces, the quantity of the territory seized, and their final objective remain unknown. Even the Russian broadsheet Nezavisimaya Gazeta admitted that events in Kursk are “shrouded in the infamous fog of conflict.” However, what is evident is that the Ukrainian assault further underscores that Russia’s war in Ukraine has not gone as planned. This development appears to have caught Russia’s political and military leadership by surprise.
Kremlin’s Response and Public Opinion
Despite these setbacks, Moscow is unlikely to admit failure. Instead, Russian officials might use the Ukrainian assault to rally public support for the government, reinforcing the Kremlin’s narrative that Russia is a besieged fortress surrounded by enemies plotting its destruction. This narrative aims to sustain public backing for the war, even as the conflict edges closer to Russian territory.
However, the reality remains that Russia initiated the full-scale invasion of its neighbor, not the other way around. While the Kremlin described its invasion as a “special military operation” aimed at “liberating” towns and villages, it now labels Ukrainian forces pushing into Russia as “terrorist attacks” and “provocations.”
The Question of Public Sentiment: Ukraine
The question now is whether the fighting in Kursk will turn Russian public opinion against the war. While it might seem logical that the conflict coming closer to home would lead to such a shift, past experiences suggest otherwise. In areas like Belgorod, which Ukrainian forces have shelled from across the border, many residents have called for Russia to intensify its military efforts instead of rethinking the invasion.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has echoed those sentiments, calling for Russia to seize more Ukrainian territory, including towns like Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kyiv. However, the final selection rests with Vladimir Putin, and the sector waits to see how he will reply to the recent traits in southern Russia.
