The Kursk operation of the AFU demonstrates the limits of Russia's capabilities — Volker
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Ukraine
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The Kursk operation of the AFU demonstrates the limits of Russia's capabilities — Volker

AFU
Source:  Business Insider

According to the former US ambassador to NATO, Kurt Volker, the Kursk operation of the Defense Forces of Ukraine demonstrates that Russia is at the limit of its capabilities.

Points of attention

  • Former US ambassador Kurt Volker suggests that the Kursk operation demonstrates Russia's limits and strategic vulnerability.
  • Ukraine's rational utilization of benefits from the operation showcases strategic calculations and risk minimization.
  • The transfer of units to Kurshchyna gives Ukraine a tactical advantage and complicates Russia's efforts in other regions.
  • The successful Kursk operation undermines Russian narratives and boosts international support for Ukraine.
  • Russia's dilemma of attacking Ukraine while defending its own territories is highlighted, indicating its limitations in the conflict.

Russia is at the limit of possibilities against the backdrop of the Kursk operation of the AFU

The actions of the Defense Forces in the territory of the Kursk region of Russia show that the aggressor country cannot attack and defend at the same time.

Such an opinion was expressed by the former US ambassador to NATO, Kurt Volker.

Russia cannot attack Ukraine and defend Russia at the same time, it had to make a choice, he said at the GLOBSEC conference in Prague.

Kurt Walker

Kurt Walker

US ambassador to NATO

According to him, Russia "will have to move forces out of Ukraine to protect the Russian Federation" and that this is "something we should take advantage of with the help of long-range systems to hit them while they are moving."

The diplomat added that the operation of the Armed Forces in Kurshchyna "demonstrates that Russia is at the limit of its capabilities."

At the same time, the deputy director of the CIA, David Cohen, said at the summit on intelligence and national security in Washington last week that the Russian army faces a "tough fight" if they want to return the captured territories of the region.

What is known about the benefits received by Ukraine from the Kursk operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Michael Kofman, a senior researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Rob Lee, a senior researcher at the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies, point out that by transferring units from the war zone in eastern Ukraine, in particular in Donetsk region, to Kurshchyna, the command of the Ukrainian army is betting on the fact that the occupying army The Russian Federation will not succeed in other areas of the front.

In addition, the command of the Ukrainian army is counting on minor losses during the Kursk operation, and an advantage in benefits over risks.

Politically, Ukraine is also likely betting that it will be able to hold Kursk long enough to use it as a bargaining chip should Kyiv be pressured to negotiate. But this territory can make the situation even more difficult for the Ukrainian military in winter.

At the same time, they note that the successful Kursk operation of the Armed Forces destroyed all the negative narratives spread by the Kremlin about the impending defeat of Ukraine.

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Ukraine
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Watch: Zelenskyy addressed Ukrainians on Unity Day

Volodymyr Zelenskyi
Zelensky congratulated Ukraine on Unity Day

On January 22, Head of State Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the Ukrainian people on Unity Day. He drew attention to the fact that in 2022, Ukrainians chose the path not of quarrels and discord, but of a joint struggle to save their homeland.

Points of attention

  • The Head of State recalls the historical significance of the Act of Union and the importance of the struggle for Ukraine's independence.
  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy points to the unique strength of Ukrainians, which gave them the opportunity to survive after February 24, 2022.

Zelensky congratulated Ukraine on Unity Day

It is worth noting that the head of state recorded a new video address on Sophia Square in Kyiv, where the Act of Union was proclaimed.

According to the president, our country is strong and independent because it is united and united.

We always remember this, especially on this day, January 22, the Day of Unity of Ukraine. I am writing this address on St. Sophia Square. A historical place. A place of strength. A place of wisdom given to us by the events that took place here over a hundred years ago, and subsequent episodes of our history, which prove: when we fight, we certainly gain what is ours, but when we quarrel, we lose what is ours.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

The Head of State recalled that it was after the Act of Union that Right-Bank and Left-Bank Ukraine united into a single state.

Despite this, discord and enemies — not only external, but also internal — prevented the independent country from existing for long.

"Several generations lived under foreign flags, traditions, which were dictated how to live, how to speak, how to think, whom to love, whom to hate. This is what not having one's own statehood is, this is what losing independence is," Zelensky added.

Russia's full-scale war has become a challenge for Ukraine

As Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted, it was on February 24, 2022 that Ukrainians had to prove how "important it is to preserve unity and stand side by side."

It was a challenge for all the people, but it did not frighten them.

And we united… At the call from within. And together we were able to stand… In the word — "together" — lies the hidden power of Ukrainians. This is about what we are capable of when we choose not some of our own ambitions, but Ukraine… When we choose not a scythe, but a sword. To defend our own. To defend our own. To defend with all our might.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

According to the head of state, all future generations of Ukrainians will come to Sofia Square on all holidays "under the blue-yellow flag and in our state."

And we will do everything to make it so. So that we are not ashamed in front of them, so that they know that we have not repeated the mistakes of the past. And Ukraine exists. Ukraine is united. Peaceful. United.

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