UKRAINIAN KURSK OFFENSIVE TAKES RUSSIANS OFF GUARD
Ukraine launched its offensive SW of the main base town of Sudzha and the Russians are clearly scrambling to react. The move seems to have come as a complete surprise and the Ukrainians have penetrated as much as 5km behind Russian lines. The whole Russian strategy over Kursk has devolved into farce. The Ukrainians seem to have the upper hand.

Ukraine seized Kolmakov and the Russians appear to be in some disarray as they try to gather themselves to resist.
With some 78,000 Russian troops and another 11,000 NK troops the systematic failure to retake Kursk seems to have dropped from the Russians plans for now, in favour of Pokrovsk.

The fact for the Russians is that while the initial attack some 7-8 months ago took them by surprise, their initial counter attacks when they happened were very successful.
However once those petered out, nothing has gone right since. Deadlines missed, thousands of troops lost, an embarrassing mess.

It’s interesting that the Ukrainians are attacking now just as they have made efforts around Pokrovsk - they seem to sense a weakness in the Russians and are trying to exploit this at last.

The Analyst

Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦!