Breakthrough of the AFU near Kursk caught Putin by surprise, Ukraine prepares trump cards for negotiations, - WP.

In recent days, the international community is watching with astonishment the development of events on the Russian-Ukrainian border. Ukrainian troops carried out an unprecedented invasion of Russian territory, capturing significant areas of the Kursk region and advancing towards Belgorod. This daring operation has become the biggest challenge for dictator Vladimir Putin since the rebellion of the Wagner group in June 2023.

This is reported by the American publication The Washington Post.

Analysts note that the scale of the Ukrainian troops' offensive is impressive. According to some Russian experts, about 260 square kilometers of Russian territory has come under Kyiv's control. Ukrainian forces captured more than 20 border villages and part of the small town of Sudzha. It is reported that Ukrainian troops are approaching the Kursk nuclear power plant, causing additional concern.

The sudden attack caught the Russian defense forces off guard. It turned out that the border areas were poorly fortified, and intelligence failed to warn about the preparation of the attack. This caused a wave of criticism towards the Russian military command and personally President Putin. Andrei Gurulev, a member of the Russian parliament and former deputy commander of the Southern Military District, called for an investigation into the actions of commanders who withdrew defense forces from the Kursk region on the eve of the attack.

Moscow's response was swift but belated. Putin convened an emergency meeting of the Security Council, and the military command hastily sent reinforcements to the Kursk region. The Russian Ministry of Defense published footage of a military column transporting artillery and armored vehicles to the region. However, Russian military analysts believe that if a full-scale counteroffensive is delayed for a few more days, AFU brigades will have Time to consolidate on captured positions.

Ukrainian forces used Western equipment and weapons in the attack, prompting a new wave of debates about the limits of support for Kyiv from the US and European countries. Representatives of Washington and Berlin stated that the use of provided weapons on Russian territory is legitimate because Ukraine is defending itself. However, some Russian experts warn that this could lead to further escalation of the conflict.

In addition to military successes, this operation has enormous psychological significance for Ukraine. It has significantly boosted the morale of Ukrainian troops and civilians, demonstrating Russia's vulnerability. Moreover, the capture of Russian territory can become an important trump card for Kyiv in future negotiations on a ceasefire or peaceful settlement.

However, the situation remains extremely unpredictable. In response to the Ukrainian offensive, Russia delivered a powerful strike on a supermarket in Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, killing at least 14 people and wounding 37.