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Ukraine has intensified its offensive in Russia’s Kursk region by destroying two key bridges, severely hampering Moscow’s logistical capabilities. As Kyiv pushes deeper into Russian territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aims to create a buffer zone, while urging Western allies to lift restrictions on long-range strikes. The daring operation has sparked chaos in the Kremlin and raised concerns of further escalation, with Belarus warning of potential nuclear consequences read more
 "What is Kyiv’s plan in Kursk?")
A satellite image shows a bridge collapsed over the Seym river in the Glushkovo district, following a Ukrainian strike in the Kursk region, Russia, August 17, 2024. File Image/Reuters
Ukrainian forces have targeted and destroyed a second key bridge in Russia’s Kursk region, further escalating the cross-border offensive that began earlier this month.
This latest strike follows the destruction of another bridge in the same region just days before, indicating a clear strategic aim to cripple Russian supply lines and solidify Ukrainian positions in the area.
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the destruction of the second bridge across the Seim River. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk shared a video on Telegram, declaring, “Minus one more bridge!” He stated that the air force “continues to deprive the enemy of its logistical capabilities with accurate airstrikes, which significantly affects the course of hostilities.”
Watch:
The first strike, which occurred on Friday, targeted a road bridge in the Glushkovsky district. This area now has only one remaining bridge, severely limiting Moscow’s ability to resupply its forces.
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels alleged that both bridges were destroyed using US-made HIMARS missiles, a claim that highlights the critical role of Western-supplied weaponry in Ukraine’s offensive operations.
The destruction of these bridges not only disrupts Russian supply routes but also hampers their ability to evacuate civilians from the conflict zone.
What is Ukraine’s objective in Kursk?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, shed light on the broader objectives of the incursion into Kursk. He stated, “It is now our primary task in defensive operations overall: to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions. This includes creating a buffer zone on the aggressor’s territory—our operation in the Kursk region.”
I received a briefing from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, covering the situation in the eastern part of Ukraine, operations in the Kursk region, the ‘exchange fund,’ and the equipping of our brigades, particularly the reserves, with ammunition and weapons.
In every direction, our… pic.twitter.com/sNQYb9JJ3k
This was the first time Zelenskyy explicitly outlined the operation’s goal of establishing a buffer zone within Russian territory, a move aimed at preventing further attacks on Ukrainian soil.
The incursion, which began on August 6, has seen Ukrainian forces advance deep into Russian territory, capturing several villages and taking hundreds of prisoners. According to General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s army chief, the operation has allowed Ukrainian forces to advance over 1,000 square kilometres (390 square miles) into the Kursk region.
How has this development affected Kyiv?
The success of Ukraine’s offensive in Kursk has bolstered the morale of its forces, which had been weakened by a failed counteroffensive last summer and months of grueling battles in the Donbas region.
The operation has also demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to take the initiative, catching the Kremlin off guard and sowing chaos among Russian forces and civilians alike. Tens of thousands of civilians have fled the area, adding to the sense of panic in Moscow.
However, the operation comes with significant risks. Analysts caution that while Ukraine may attempt to consolidate its gains in Kursk, the extended supply lines into Russian territory could be vulnerable to counterattacks. Despite these risks, the operation has shown that Kyiv is willing to push deep into enemy territory to achieve its strategic objectives.
Is Ukraine allowed to use NATO-supplied long-range weapons?
In a parallel development, Zelenskyy has called on Ukraine’s Western allies to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons, urging them to allow Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russian territory, including in Kursk.
Also Read: How Ukraine caught Russia napping as it launched biggest invasion since World War II
“It is crucial that our partners remove barriers that hinder us from weakening Russian positions in the way this war demands,” Zelenskyy said. “The bravery of our soldiers and the resilience of our combat brigades compensate for the lack of essential decisions from our partners.”
Has the Russian response been miffed at best?
Russia’s response to the Ukrainian incursion has been largely reactive, with Moscow struggling to organise an effective counteroffensive.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, while visiting China in May, had hinted at the possibility of creating a buffer zone in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region in response to Ukrainian shelling. However, the swift and effective Ukrainian operations in Kursk have put the Kremlin on the back foot.
Russia launched its third ballistic missile attack on Kyiv this month on Sunday, but reports suggest that most of the missiles were intercepted before reaching their targets, according to the Ukrainian capital’s military administration.
“This is already the third ballistic strike on the capital in August, with exact intervals of six days between each attack,” Serhiy Popko, the head of the Kyiv military administration, said on Telegram.
The situation has also raised concerns about the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which remains under Russian control.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned that the plant’s safety is deteriorating due to nearby military activity. Grossi called for “maximum restraint from all sides” after an explosive drone detonated near the plant’s protected area, highlighting the potential for a nuclear disaster in the midst of the ongoing conflict.
The nuclear safety situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is deteriorating following a drone strike that hit the road around the plant site perimeter today, IAEA DG @rafaelmgrossi said. https://t.co/t2PZJOt09L pic.twitter.com/s1fTDWVT5Y
— IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) August 17, 2024In a further escalation, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin, has massed “nearly a third” of his country’s army along the border with Ukraine. In an interview of Russia state television, he warned that Ukraine’s actions could provoke Russia into using nuclear weapons, a threat that has loomed over the conflict since its inception.
Lukashenko stated, “Nobody has ever defeated this empire, and they won’t defeat Russia. How is NATO meant to do it?”
What now?
While Kyiv has stated that it does not intend to occupy Russian territory permanently, the creation of a buffer zone could serve as a powerful bargaining chip in future negotiations.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said that Ukraine is not interested in occupying Russian territories, describing the operation as a “military tool…to convince the Russian Federation to enter into a fair negotiation process.”
Also Watch:
Ukraine’s destruction of key infrastructure in Russia’s Kursk region marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
With inputs from agencies
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