IDPs receive humanitarian aid in Kursk
Ukraine’s surprise attack on Russian territory in the Kursk region last week turned the tide of the war. Although it did not change the general course of the conflict, it dealt a serious blow to Russia not only on the battlefield, but also psychologically, calling into question the Kremlin’s claims of a constant movement towards victory.
More than 130,000 Russians were forced to leave their homes due to the invasion of Ukrainian forces. Amid the chaos, regional officials proved unprepared for the crisis, forcing volunteers and local residents to take the initiative.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not made any public statements about the invasion since meeting with officials. During this meeting, he reprimanded the governor of the Kursk region for revealing the extent of the Ukrainian offensive. Meanwhile, Russian society, which had largely adapted to the war, now faces a new phase of uncertainty and improvisation.
Opposition politicians in Russia see this situation as a chance to undermine Kremlin propaganda. Lev Shlosberg, a well-known oppositionist from the city of Pskov, noted that public tension is growing, although it is difficult to predict how it will explode. According to him, current events only exacerbate the crisis.
In Kursk itself, a city about 50 miles from the border, people who were forced to flee the Ukrainian offensive are still in a state of shock. Politician and journalist Ekaterina Duntsova says that many hope that this is all “just a dream”. She is trying to help the refugees, but warns that the situation is unlikely to lead to political change, as most people are afraid to express their opinions openly.
Despite this, there is growing concern among Russians about the possible involvement of young conscript soldiers in hostilities on Russian territory. And although Putin promised not to send conscripts to the front in Ukraine, now the situation may change. There are already reports of the disappearance of several soldiers in the Kursk region, which causes concern among their families.
Analysts suggest that moving part of the Russian forces to Kursk could weaken the offensive in eastern Ukraine, endangering the Kremlin’s strategy. At the same time, popular Russian bloggers began to criticize the authorities for hiding the scale of the problem, questioning the official propaganda about “successful defense”.
It is currently unknown how exactly Putin plans to respond to the Ukrainian attack. However, some experts believe that he may resort to even harsher measures, deepening the conflict. The Ukrainian attack has erased a border that was previously considered inviolable, and now Putin faces a new challenge — what line is he willing to cross in response.
Source: The New York Times
