Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kursk boosts morale, defies odds
The Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that an offensive similar to the one in the Kursk region "will not be the last." He noted that the operation on Russian territory "greatly motivated our personnel."
- The year passed in constant active actions of the enemy: he attacked, we defended. But we also had some good news when we launched a successful counteroffensive in the Kursk direction, which greatly motivated our personnel, raised the mood in the troops and in society, and gave us hope that this offensive would not be the last - emphasized Syrskyi.
"One should not underestimate the enemy"
The General admitted that an important conclusion drawn from almost six months of the Kursk operation is that "one should not underestimate the enemy."
- Secondly, we need to learn how to fight, win, and draw conclusions from our own mistakes. And, of course, it is necessary to acquire and prevail technologically, that is, to have a technological advantage. Because we are not fighting with numbers, but primarily with quality and technology - noted the commander.
- Censorship (wartime) is necessary, but not like in North Korea - he declared. According to Syrskyi, with the modern development of information technologies, spreading information, e.g., about the movements of Ukrainian brigades, is extremely dangerous, and the informational silence allowed for the effective conduct of the Kursk operation.
- The enemy did not understand the concept (of the Kursk operation) and did not take it into account. They thought we were no longer capable of any active operations. This is definitely an exception to the general rule – he explained.
Ukrainians on Russian territory. Attack near Kursk
Syrskyi informed that there is sensitive information that cannot be disseminated, but society should be told about the real situation. - So that people realize that the war is right here, people close to us are hurt, and unfortunately, die. To ensure there is no stark difference between the front and the rear - he emphasized.
Ukrainian troops entered the Kursk region on August 6, 2024. It was explained at the time that one of the goals of this offensive was to force the Russians to shift some of their forces from Donbas in eastern Ukraine.
By the end of August, Kyiv controlled 1,240 square kilometres of this region's territory, but since September, Ukrainian forces began losing ground due to the Russian army's counteroffensive. In November, sources in the Ukrainian army reported that they controlled only about 800 square kilometres of Russian territory.
