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War in Ukraine: objectives, progress, Russian response… The Ukrainian incursion in questions
War in Ukraine: objectives, progress, Russian response… The Ukrainian incursion in questions
(France 2)
After six days of attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed control of 74 localities in Russian territory on the evening of Tuesday, August 13. An update on the situation.
In the Kursk region (Russia), the Russian flag is removed and trampled by Ukrainian soldiers, who proudly display their colors. This unprecedented incursion is the first by a foreign army on Russian soil since the Second World War. A thousand Ukrainian soldiers are said to be present in Russia. In just eight days, Ukrainian troops have advanced 800 km² into Russian territory.
What are Ukraine’s objectives? In a country exhausted by two years of war, this incursion first of all brings a breath of pride. Russian soldiers seem to have been taken prisoner on their territory. The army could redeploy and ease the pressure in Ukraine. Finally, the operation could allow it to weigh in on future negotiations. “Arriving with 1,000 km² of disputed territory in Russia, that already opens the door to a slightly more balanced discussion,” analyzes Guillaume Ancel, former officer and war chronicler.
In response, Russian drones struck Ukrainian armored vehicles. Vladimir Putin’s army sent reinforcements to the Kursk region. If according to experts, the Ukrainian incursion will not be enough to reverse the balance of power. But on the ground the Ukrainian army continues to advance, and announced on the evening of Tuesday, August 13, that it had taken control of 74 Russian localities.
