Ukrainian soldiers lose confidence in Kursk offensive

Ukraine launched the Kursk offensive on August 6 to surprise Russia and boost morale sapped by more than two years of conflict. Kyiv officials said the offensive was also aimed at diverting Russian forces from fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian servicemen drive a tank in the Donetsk region (eastern Ukraine) on October 5, 2024

"Perhaps the enemy has taken troops from other directions, maybe from reserves, but we don't feel any significant changes here," said Oleksandr, a soldier operating near Toretsk in Donetsk province (eastern Ukraine).

Ukrainian serviceman Bogdan believes that if the Kursk operation is a short-term plan, it could help boost the army’s morale. However, if it is a long-term operation, it risks draining the country’s main resources as Russia increases the tempo of the conflict.

What does controlling the town of Vuhledar mean for Russia?

On the occasion of the two-month anniversary of the start of the Kursk operation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on October 6 congratulated the army for pushing the flames of conflict into Russian soil. Mr. Zelensky affirmed that the Kursk attack had slowed down Russia's advance in eastern Ukraine.

Sharing the same view, soldier who fought in Kursk Sergiy described the campaign as creating "a beautiful propaganda picture that Ukraine can be conquered and conduct offensive operations", forcing Russians to feel the atmosphere of conflict right in their homeland.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (in black) and the country's army in the Sunny region (Ukraine) on October 4, 2024

However, according to AFP, analyzing data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Moscow has made its biggest monthly advance since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in October 2022. Accordingly, Russia advanced 477 ^km2 into Ukrainian territory in August. Last week, the Russian army took control of the town of Vuhledar.

Yohann Michel, a researcher at the IESD Lyon strategic research center in France, said the Russian offensive was accelerating and Ukraine was suffering heavy losses. According to him, it is difficult to assess how many of the Kursk offensive's objectives have been achieved.

According to AFP, the Kursk operation also aims to speed up aid from the US and Western countries, and could create the premise for a negotiation that is beneficial to Ukraine. However, the prospect of peace talks remains remote.

"Will this operation be successful? Militarily , not necessarily. The improvement in morale is temporary and is fading," said Olivier Kempf of the French Foundation for Strategic Research (FSR). "Russia could turn this initial failure into a real strategic asset," said Kempf.

On Ukraine's eastern front, many soldiers are concerned that Ukraine could be bogged down in Kursk. "The important thing is what to do next. Where will we get the men, the strength and the means to continue this operation or how will we end it? God knows how this story will end," one soldier told AFP.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/binh-si-ukraine-giam-niem-tin-vao-chien-dich-tan-cong-vung-kursk-18524101016261692.htm