As Ukraine ramps up its offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, questions are emerging about the UK’s support for Kyiv during this high-stakes military campaign. Here’s the full story.
Zelenskyy Demands Greater Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a challenge to the UK, the US, and France for more support as Ukrainian forces have intensified their offensive into Kursk.
Surprise Offensive Shocks Russia
The Ukrainian surprise offensive caught foreign allies and, most importantly, President Vladimir Putin’s Russian forces completely off guard, with Ukrainian troops able to waltz into Russia with little resistance.
British Tanks in Action
Ukraine has reportedly made use of British-made Challenger 2 tanks in its offensive, which aims to take Russian territory to create a so-called “buffer zone” from which Russia would be unable to carry out attacks on its beleaguered neighbour.
Unprecedented Speed and Scope
The speed and scope of the advance were unprecedented, with the Ukrainians seizing territory, capturing prisoners of war, and destroying three critical bridges over the Seym River, which the Russian forces were using to move troops and supplies.
Isolating Russian Forces
The Ukrainian military, leveraging US-supplied Himars rocket systems, has targeted these bridges to cut off Russian forces south of the Seym River, effectively isolating them from their possible reinforcement, which would allow Ukrainian troops to effectively encircle the embattled Russian forces, which are mostly made up of poorly trained and supplied conscripts.
Strategic Bridges Cut Off
The strategic importance of these bridges cannot be overstated. By severing these critical connections, Ukraine aims to gain control of an additional 270 square miles of Russian territory.
High-Speed Campaign
While Ukrainian forces have made notable gains in the Kursk region, capturing several villages and advancing steadily, the situation remains complex and fluid. Ukrainian troops, under the command of Oleksandr Syrskyi, are employing a high-speed campaign to avoid the pitfalls of a protracted positional war.
Russian Advances in the East
However, even as Ukraine pushes into the Kursk region, Russian forces have been advancing in eastern Ukraine, particularly around Pokrovsk. The recent capture of Niu-York marks a significant gain for Russia in the Donetsk region.
Pokrovsk Under Threat
Over recent months, Russian forces have steadily advanced towards the city of Pokrovsk, capturing surrounding villages and edging closer to the city, with local authorities in the city issuing evacuation orders for the few residents remaining.
Donbas Defence in Jeopardy
The fall of Pokrovsk would make it considerably more complicated for the Ukrainians to defend the Donbas region, which has been fiercely contested since the war began in 2014.
Zelenskyy’s Strategic Goals
President Zelenskyy made Ukraine’s goals clear in a recent statement: “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.”
Pressure on Western Allies
Despite Ukraine’s Western allies supporting Ukraine with weapons and munitions, Zelenskyy has upped the pressure on Western leaders to provide more support for Ukraine, and at a faster pace.
Zelenskyy’s Appeal to Allies
On X, formerly Twitter, Zelenskyy stated, “Throughout this war, we’ve seen the UK demonstrate true leadership—in arms, politics, and support for Ukrainian society. This has saved thousands of lives, reflecting the strength of the UK.”
Call for Urgent Aid
Speaking directly to the people of the UK, the US, and France, he added, “Unfortunately, the situation has slowed down recently. We will discuss how to fix this because long-range capabilities are vital for us. The whole world sees how effective Ukrainians are—how our entire nation defends its independence.”
UK Response to Criticism
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson diplomatically rejected the criticism, stating, “The prime minister remains absolutely resolute in his support for Ukraine. In fact, on the latest situation, including in Kursk, the prime minister wants to set out his full admiration for the bravery shown by the Ukrainian soldiers, who have once again proved their spirit and determination in the face of continued Russian aggression and shown they will do whatever it takes to defend their country.”
Unwavering UK Support
They added, “In terms of our support, it is unwavering. That’s why we committed to £3 billion a year in support for Ukraine and to do that for as long as it lasts.”
Kursk Offensive Challenges
Despite the Kursk offensive’s successes, Ukrainian forces face significant challenges as they move deeper into Russian territory. The destruction of the Seym River bridges has undoubtedly hampered Russian logistics. However, Putin’s attention has also been concentrated on the first invasion of Russia’s territory since the Second World War, which he will be desperate to repulse quickly.
Russian Focus Remains Elsewhere
Additionally, though the Ukrainian advance has made significant gains and been well-received internationally, it has failed to draw large numbers of Russian troops away from the front line.
A High-Stakes Gamble
Ukraine’s push into Russian territory represents a bold and high-stakes gamble for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his generals. However, the dice are still in motion, and the outcome is still up to fate.
Uncertain Outcome
As both sides continue to manoeuvre and adapt to the fast pace of the conflict, the outcome of this operation and its implications for the future of the war and the stability of the broader region remain to be seen.
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