As Ukraine continues its offensive in Kursk, the Russians are increasing pressure in eastern Ukraine. According to the expert, one of the parties will be faced with a difficult decision before long.
The Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region of Russia has been going on for two weeks now.
Ukrainian media Kyiv Post according to military analysts interviewed, the start of the operation in Ukraine has been impressive. However, according to experts, maintaining it can prove difficult.
Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine To Oleksandr Syrskyi according to the country now controls an area of 1,263 square kilometers and 93 population centers in Russia. The country’s president to Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the Kursk operation is progressing fully in line with Ukraine’s goals and plans.
Ukrainian authorities have previously mentioned the country’s goals as stretching Russia’s defenses, destroying Russian military equipment, and forming a buffer zone near the Ukrainian border.
At the same time, it is hoped that the attack will create the conditions for achieving fair peace terms.
– This is a game of chance, the goal of which may be to exchange territories captured from Russia with Ukrainian territories, research director of the FMES think tank Rierre Razoux evaluate.
At the beginning of its offensive, Ukraine managed to advance quickly in Kursk. Ukraine’s advance still continues, but its pace has slowed due to Russia’s increased defense.
According to Razoux, Ukraine’s position in Kursk may weaken over time if Russia manages to advance in Ukraine regularly. The approaching winter may also make Ukraine’s operations in Kursk difficult.
– Ukrainian armored vehicles are effective in summer due to their speed and agility. When the rains and snows arrive and the terrain turns muddy, vehicles become a nightmare as they get stuck in the terrain, says Razoux.
According to Razoux, Russia may initially allow the Ukrainians to advance in Kursk, in order to later encircle the stuck Ukrainian forces.
Also a retired Australian general Mick Ryan assessed in an interview with the Ukrainian media Kyiv Post that sustaining the Kursk offensive may prove difficult for Ukraine.
According to him, the same also applies to Russia’s extensive attacks in eastern Ukraine.
– It is unclear whether either party will be able to maintain their current operations with a monthly trade. At some point, the other party has to make a difficult decision about what their priorities are.