Putin Asserts Kursk Incursion Fails to Halt Russian Advance

President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine's incursion into the Russian region of Kursk has not hindered Russia's advance in eastern Ukraine. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum, he mentioned that the offensive has actually weakened Kyiv's defenses along the frontline, enabling Russia to progress more swiftly in the Donbas region.

President Vladimir Putin declared on Thursday that Ukraine's incursion into Kursk has failed to halt Russia's military progress in eastern Ukraine, instead weakening Kyiv's defenses. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin emphasized that Russian forces are gradually pushing Ukrainian soldiers out of Kursk, where Ukraine launched its largest foreign attack on Russia since World War II on August 6.

According to Putin, Ukraine's misstep has allowed Russia to gain momentum and accelerate its advance in the Donbas area. He reaffirmed that Moscow's primary goal remains the full control of Donbas. 'The enemy aimed to unsettle us by transferring troops and halting our advances in critical regions, especially in the Donbas,' he remarked. 'But did it work? No.'

Putin, who orchestrated the deployment of tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022 under the guise of a special military operation, stated that it is now the 'sacred duty of the armed forces' to expel Ukrainian forces from Kursk. While Ukraine's top commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi indicated the incursion aimed to divert Russian forces, the operation is now being portrayed as a strategic blunder by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Russia's depiction of the Kursk incursion as a tactical mistake ties down thousands of Ukrainian troops, providing little benefit and allowing Russian troops to speed up their offensives. Putin cited that Russian forces were taking over eastern Ukrainian territory more swiftly and that recruitment rates in Russia were increasing. Despite the stalled peace talks, Putin identified China, India, and Brazil as potential mediators for future negotiations.

(With inputs from agencies.)