Will Ukraine’s Kursk offensive pay off?

For the first time since the Second World War, foreign forces have invaded Russia. As Ukrainian troops push over the border into the Kursk region, Vladimir Putin, with breathtaking lack of irony, denounces this as ‘terrorism’ and a ‘provocation’. But what is Kyiv’s goal?

Previous incursions, largely into the Belgorod region, have been carried out by small units of pro-Kyiv Russia troops, so although they are in practice controlled by HUR, Ukrainian military intelligence, this could be spun as ‘liberation’ by anti-Putin forces. However, these have also been little more than PR exercises: a dash across the border to take some half-defended villages, some selfies, and a hurried withdrawal.

The Kursk attack, though, is rather different – not least as it is being conducted by Ukrainian troops, including elements of the relatively elite 22nd Mechanised Brigade and 82nd Air Assault Brigade, equipped with US-made Stryker armoured fighting vehicles.