If “Z” is a symbol of the Russian invasion, then the triangle symbolizes Ukraine’s boldest attempt to resist it, the BBC writes.
Triangle marks are affixed or painted on every supply truck, tank or transporter heading towards the Russian border in the Sumy region.
This invasion is an offensive that has resulted in the occupation of hundreds of square kilometers of Russian territory. The momentum and morale of the Ukrainian war effort was tangibly restored.
The Russian official in charge of the Kursk border region spoke about 28 settlements controlled by Ukraine, and almost 200,000 people. Russians left their homes.
Tomash recently returned from a Ukrainian border mission with his comrade Akorda, who said without hesitation that it was “cool”.
Their drone unit spent two days preparing the way for an invasion across the border.
“We had an order to come here, but we didn’t know what that meant,” Tomash admitted after stopping for a coffee at a gas station. “We destroyed the enemy’s communications and surveillance equipment in advance to clear the way.”
Exactly how much Russian territory was occupied is not clear, although the statement by the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, that Ukraine controls 1,000 sq. km
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Tuesday that attempts by the Ukrainians to push deeper had been foiled, but they have been proven wrong before.
Whatever the reality, it seems that Kiev is committed to this military adventure.
Such activity has not been seen in the neighboring Sumy region since 2022. liberation.
It is certainly a welcome break from the grueling war of the past 18 months, but it would be premature to call it a success or a failure.
The purpose of this attack is unclear, although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken about it. According to him, the goal will be aimed at objects from which Russia can launch attacks against Ukraine, and peace will be achieved.
But it is clear that Kiev is deploying some of its best soldiers.
Sporty-looking soldiers cluster around vehicles that match their muscularity. Most of them politely refuse to talk. Some look exhausted.
Over the Telegram messaging app, a soldier still in Russia said there had been months of planning to force Moscow to move troops from other parts of Ukraine’s front line.
“The element of surprise worked,” he said. – We entered easily and without much resistance. August 6 during the night, the first groups crossed in several directions.”
“Almost immediately they reached the western edge of the city of Suja,” the soldier added.
The secrecy of such operations suits the soldiers conducting them. The same cannot be said for the civilian population.
Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated on both sides of the border following increased airstrikes and fighting.
“The Russian civilians we are dealing with are not resisting,” the soldier explained. “We don’t touch them, but they either treat us harshly, negatively, or they don’t treat us at all.”
“They are also deceiving us about the positions of Russian soldiers,” he explained.
The soldiers we interviewed confirmed that Russian forces were indeed redeployed from the eastern front line, including the directions of Kharkiv, Pokrovsk and Torecko.
However, none of them have yet reported a slowdown in the movement of Russian troops.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has promised an “appropriate response” to the first seizure of Russian territory since World War II.
But whatever fear he intended to spread didn’t reach the dusty border settlements that his forces routinely bombard.
Misha and his friend Valera passing by in their orange Lada in the village of Stetskivka: “I want them to occupy [Kursko sritį] and would do this!” Misha shouted, making a circular gesture with his hands. “They should take everything, even Moscow!”
It’s an anger rooted in the fact that he finds himself on the receiving end of a full-scale Russian invasion beginning in 2022. in February
“Russia attacked first, not us,” answers Valera, lowering the window. – Now our guys responded and showed what we are capable of. We would have taken it earlier if we had the permission.”
It seems that Ukraine has finally received the green light from the West that it so longed for to strike across the border.
The risk is still frighteningly high, as evidenced by the new defensive walls being built on the outskirts of the city of Sumy.
Until last week, the region feared a Russian attack in northern Ukraine. If the invasion of Ukraine fails, these fears could soon be realized.
Ukrainian forces were and still are superior to the Russian aggressors.
“In order to keep this Russian territory, we need two things,” wrote a Ukrainian soldier on enemy soil. “More cities under our control, like Suja, and reserves,” he said.
“Our front line is already bursting at the seams, and it’s not clear where we’re going to get them from,” he said.
Kiev hopes that Russia will be forced to reorient itself from the fighting on the territory of Ukraine to its own territory.
Some in Ukraine believe that this counterattack could even strengthen its position in any future peace talks.
In the same way, it can further delay the negotiations.
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2024-08-18 02:01:05