The Ukrainian offensive continues.
An offensive that seems to raise morale in the country – but provokes strong reactions from the government on the other side of the border.
– Right now very intense fighting is going on in eastern Ukraine, says Oscar Jonsson, PhD in Russian warfare at the Norwegian Defense Academy.
Fighting at Kursk has intensified since Ukraine launched its ground offensive last week. More than 120,000 have been evacuated on Monday, according to the region’s governor Aleksey Smirnov on social media, and Ukraine is said to have taken control of 28 Russian territories.
Mattias Carlsson, reporter at Expressen, is on location in eastern Ukraine at the Russian border.
– In that part of Ukraine, the civilian population has largely moved away. There are some old pensioners left.
Continued offensive
He tells us that it is shot in both directions. At the same time as Ukraine continues to transport forces into Russia.
– Both tanks and other engineering vehicles arrive all the time, says Mattias Carlsson.
– In the other direction come ambulances and ejected vehicles that need to be fixed or need to be removed from the combat zone.
In a video published on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s social media, Ukraine is said to have taken control of approximately 1,000 square kilometers.
Putin upset
Ukraine’s offensive has been described as a turning point. In a televised speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine is trying to sow division in Russian society and is threatening strong responses.
– The main task of the Ministry of Defense is, of course, to drive the enemy out of our territories, Putin says at a televised government meeting.
According to Oscar Jonsson, PhD in Russian warfare at the Norwegian Defense Academy, there are several reasons for the offensive in the east.
– The purpose is actually twofold. One is right now to force Russia to withdraw where the fighting is most intense and where things are going badly for Ukraine right now. The second is moral. To boost morale in Ukraine but also lower it in Russia.
“A significant operation”
Ukraine is reported to have advanced three miles into Russia. And despite the early successes, it’s too early to predict what the latest offensive will lead to.
– But right now it is a significant operation and the largest in Russia since the Second World War.