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https://theconversation.com/ukraines-cross-border-incursion-challenges-moscows-war-narrative-but-will-it-shift-russian-opinion-236445>
"On Aug. 6, 2024, Ukrainian soldiers crossed the border into Kursk province,
marking the first invasion of foreign troops into Russian territory since World
War II. In the days since, Russian television viewers and social media users
have been confronted with images of burned-out houses and captured Russian
soldiers.
The attack caught the Russian armed forces by surprise, and they have struggled
to eject the Ukrainians from Russian territory. Meanwhile, over 120,000 Russian
civilians fled the conflict zone.
The development not only challenges Russia’s military, but it also challenges
the Kremlin’s narrative that everything is going to plan, that victory is
within Russia’s grasp and that President Vladimir Putin is able to protect the
Russian people from foreign threats.
The Russia-Ukraine War has devolved into a brutal and dispiriting war of
attrition. Each side is struggling to come up with the money, arms and men
needed to maintain operations along a 600-mile front.
With fighting seemingly at a stalemate, the outcome of the war may well depend
on the willingness of the public in Russia and Ukraine to bear the economic
costs and human sacrifices needed to keep the war going. Ukraine’s invasion of
Kursk may shock the Russian leaders – and public – out of their complacency and
disrupt the status quo."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
