On October 10, a Ukrainian infantry unit of thirty soldiers still controlled, for a few hours, the village of Snagost, on the western flank of the kyiv forces’ incursion towards Kursk, in Russian territory. Their leader, “Kolot”, as he was known, was wounded by shrapnel and managed to avoid the encirclement and retreat with his men towards Lyubimovka, four kilometers further east.
This is where the new lateral front line of an attack launched by Ukraine in early August, in the hope of changing the course of the war, lies, even today. “The Russians are advancing slowly, but they are advancing”states, this October 16, “Kolot”, 37 years old, with his cap screwed down to his ears, returned to the underground bunker of the second battalion of the 17thmy tank brigade, in the deserted Ukrainian border village of Younakivka.
At his side, the battalion chief, known as “the Greek” – to honor his practice of Greco-Roman wrestling – is no more enthusiastic about the Ukrainian operation carried out in Russian territory. “During the maneuvers around Lyubimovka, The documents and materials left by the Russians made us understand their level of intelligence about our forces and our movements.”says. He also regrets the lack of resources: “Where we put a section, they put a company; Where we dig basic shelters, they build fortifications worthy of a battalion headquarters. »
Three months after the surprise attack in the direction of Kursk, officers, soldiers and civilians met with the world Opinions are varied about the final impact of this strategic choice. “The Greek” does not hide this: “Only 56% of the objectives have been met, the Russians reacted quickly, they have reinforcements that we do not have and they use their soldiers as cannon fodder. » This raid on Russia certainly raised the morale of the troops and changed the perspective of certain allies on the course of the war, but it did not reverse the trend at the military level.
In a context of great fatigue, even the strongest characters do not hide their hope of ending the war. kyiv wanted to come to the negotiating table with a territorial gain to confront Vladimir Putin at his own game. The Russian president advocates an agreement on fixed front lines. But will he agree to discuss before retaking the Kursk enclave, especially if he receives the help of thousands of North Korean soldiers, whose deployment in Russia was confirmed on October 23 by the United States and NATO?
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