Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to position himself as an effective manager of the situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border, while shifting responsibility for the problems to other Russian military and government officials. This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War ( ISW), according to Komersant ukrainskyi
Thus, on 12 August, Putin held a meeting on the situation in Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions, where he criticised some officials for going beyond their authority.
The Kremlin published a video of the meeting, where Putin reprimands the officials. This is likely a warning to other Russian officials to refrain from commenting on the Ukrainian offensive in Russia. Russian opposition media reports that the presidential administration has advised MPs and senators not to comment on the events in Kursk region “until further notice”.
Putin has assigned tasks to the Ministry of Defence, the FSB and the Rosgvardia in the border region, which underscores the difficulties of the Russian group in Kursk region in establishing effective command and control. This makes it difficult to coordinate operations in response to the Ukrainian offensive, according to ISW.
Ukrainian forces, according to Russian reports, continue to advance deeper into the Kursk region. Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov said that Ukrainian forces have captured 28 settlements and advanced about 12 km into the territory along a 40-kilometre front. The Ukrainian command claims to control about 1,000 square kilometres of Russian territory.
Putin, assessing Ukrainian operations in the Kursk region, made a statement that undermines the Kremlin’s long-standing propaganda about Ukraine’s unwillingness to negotiate. He suggested that Ukraine may conduct operations to “improve its negotiating position in the future”, implicitly acknowledging Ukraine’s interest in negotiations.
The Ukrainian side warns of possible provocations by Russia. The Security Service of Ukraine reported that Russian special services may stage crimes against civilians in the Kursk region to blame Ukrainian forces and discredit Ukraine and Western support.
The situation remains dynamic, and both sides continue to be active in the border region.
What is happening in the Kursk region
on 6 August, the Russians announced a “breakthrough” of the border from Ukraine in the Kursk region.
For the seventh day in a row, fighting has been taking place in the border areas of the Kursk region. Russia has now introduced a counter-terrorism operation in three regions bordering Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed the information about the invasion of the region. However, the General Staff of Ukraine has not yet commented on the situation.
According to media reports, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have advanced 30 km into the region. Journalists also report a constant stream of armoured personnel carriers and tanks moving towards Russia.
According to AFP, thousands of Ukrainian troops are taking part in a military operation in the Kursk region of Russia.