NATO Doubts Ukraine's Ability to Push Into Russia, According to Bloomberg
According to an unnamed Western official, Kiev orchestrated the incursion into the Kursk Region to demonstrate its ability to confront the Kremlin. Read Full Article at RT.com
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On August 6, elements from six Ukrainian brigades initiated an incursion into the Kursk Region, capturing several border villages. In response, Moscow declared a state of emergency and launched a counter-terrorist operation. The Russian Defense Ministry later reported that the Ukrainian advance had been halted, estimating that Ukraine suffered losses of up to 2,000 personnel and more than 200 armored vehicles.
The unnamed NATO official noted, as cited by Bloomberg on Tuesday, that the incursion was “at least crucial to show that Kiev can challenge the Kremlin.” The plan for a cross-border attack had been under consideration for some time, with Ukraine evaluating various options to put pressure on Russia.
Bloomberg also highlighted that while the Biden administration and the European Union had endorsed the operation—marking the first military presence on Russian soil since World War II—NATO allies had not yet formed a definitive opinion.
Ukrainian officials remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the cross-border attack until it was significantly underway, according to an unnamed Western intelligence official. “NATO allies don’t harbor reservations on the incursion, though consider it unlikely that Ukrainian forces will be able to hold Russian territory — even if it takes weeks for Moscow to force them out of Kursk,” the official said.
In the US, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh characterized the attack as “consistent” with Washington’s policy allowing Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons for self-defense. The European Union similarly has labeled the operation as legitimate defense.
Interviews with Ukrainian troops by Western media revealed that the incursion's objective was to seize territory that could later be offered in negotiations with Russia and to alleviate pressure on the Donbass front. However, Moscow has since rejected any further negotiations with Kiev, intensifying its military actions.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued a warning on Tuesday that the Ukrainian government would face “ramifications” for its attacks on Russia.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News