The Russian Invasion|The Battles

Russia expert: Putin's words are sensational

The fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin comes out and calls Ukraine's ground offensive in the Kursk region an "extensive provocation" is startling. That's what Markus Göransson, assistant lecturer in military science at the department of military science at the Defense Academy, tells GP.

In the past, Russia has tried to silence Ukrainian attacks, he believes.

- Here they do the opposite and send a strong signal that it is something we need to take very seriously.

In addition to his statement, the president must also have convened the country's security council. Ukraine has not yet commented on the offensive launched yesterday.

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Putin on the Kursk Offensive: "Extensive provocation"

Ukraine's ground offensive in Russia's Kursk region is a new "large-scale provocation", says Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting with government colleagues, according to Reuters. Putin is reported to have said that Ukrainian forces are conducting "indiscriminate shelling" of civilian targets in the region.

At the same time, the president is said to have convened the country's security council due to the offensive.

Ukraine has not yet commented on the offensive, but it would mean a dramatic change in Ukraine's strategy, as the country previously focused on holding on to key territory on the front lines in the east, writes NBC News.
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Fierce fighting in Russian Kursk after Ukrainian ground offensive

In an unusual ground offensive, Ukrainian forces have penetrated across the border with Russia, just a few miles from the Kursk nuclear power plant. Russia claims that, writes NBC News. About 300 Ukrainian soldiers, 11 tanks and 20 armored vehicles crossed the border, the Russian Defense Ministry said, adding that the attackers were being fought with air and artillery.

So far, Ukraine has not commented on the offensive, which began yesterday, but it would mean a dramatic change in Ukraine's strategy, as the country previously focused on holding on to key territory on the front lines in the east, writes NBC.

According to Russia, Ukraine has lost 260 soldiers and 50 armored vehicles. Unconfirmed Ukrainian sources claim that Russia appears to have had helicopters shot down and that several communities near the border have been captured by Ukraine.