Russian military leadership, under the command of Vladimir Putin, has created a “complex” and “ineffective” structure in response to Ukraine’s recent offensive in the Kursk region, according to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
On Thursday, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov announced the formation of a “coordination council” to address military and security issues in regions affected by the conflict near the Ukrainian border. This council aims to enhance support for Russian troops and coordinate efforts to assist local residents.
However, Belousov did not clarify how this new council would work alongside existing command structures already established by the Kremlin. This raises questions about how it will interact with the Federal Security Service (FSB), which is responsible for counterterrorism operations in regions like Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk.
Analysts from ISW believe that this dual structure is likely to cause further confusion and may lead to disputes between the Russian military and the FSB. They argue that this situation highlights the Kremlin’s inability to adequately prepare for a significant Ukrainian incursion.
The Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region has forced the Kremlin to reconsider its assessment of Ukraine’s capabilities along the border. It has also exposed strategic miscalculations by Putin and his inner circle.
Despite the fact that 10 days have passed since the Ukrainian offensive began, Moscow has yet to deliver a decisive response, a situation that has surprised many experts.
“Surprising” Lack of Response from Russia
Mark Malloch Brown, former deputy secretary-general of the UN, expressed surprise that Russia has not yet carried out a major military operation in response, Sky News quoted the former head of the UN. In his opinion, Russian troops may soon begin a large-scale deployment to push back Ukrainian forces, however the current situation only emphasizes the internal problems of the Russian army.
“It’s surprising that we’re already in the second week after the offensive, and there’s still no significant evidence of Russian troop redeployment to counter the Ukrainians,” Malloch-Brown remarked.
He added that this delay could give Ukrainian forces the opportunity to entrench themselves, making it difficult for Russian forces to reclaim territory later.
Malloch-Brown also speculated that Kyiv may be intentionally withholding details about the full scope of its objectives in the Kursk region. He suggested that the Ukrainian offensive might have various goals, from maintaining pressure on Russian forces to altering the dynamics of any potential ceasefire or peace negotiations—or even posing a direct threat to Moscow.
“We don’t yet know all the details of this raid, but one thing is clear: the Ukrainians are not stopping here,” Malloch-Brown concluded.
