Ukrainian forces advance into Russia, heightening regional tensions

Ukraine made a bold decision and entered Russia, attacking and occupying more villages. Polish General Mirosław Bieniek has no doubts. Kyiv did this to show the Russians what war looks like. "They brought it to their territory so that the Russian people could see it," he says in an interview with the military portal.

Ukrainian soldiers bravely entered Russia, occupying some localities in the Kursk region but also attacking Belgorod and Lipetsk. Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergey Markov reported that Ukraine might have occupied an area of even 260 square kilometres. Russia could take up to a year to recover these territories.

Interestingly, Ukrainians freely crossed the border and began attacking strategic locations. There were also reports of capturing poorly trained conscripts. The Kremlin decided to announce an anti-terrorist operation. According to the Institute for the Study of War, martial law was not introduced to avoid internal panic caused by such a decision. Putin decided to evacuate many residents. Temporary centres were prepared for them.

Putin called the attack by Ukraine "a large-scale provocation," and his spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called Kyiv's actions barbaric and appealed to the international community to react and condemn "the criminal actions of the regime in Kyiv."

Political statements by Kremlin representatives claiming that Ukraine's actions violate international law are the height of arrogance. They brazenly attacked Ukraine over two years ago, and this is the consequence," said General Mieczysław Bieniek to "Fakt".

The interviewee also pointed out that Ukrainians once again reminded the public that the war is still ongoing. "They did it to show the Russians on their territory what war looks like. They brought it to their territory so that the Russian people could see it. But also to remind them that it was the Russians who started this war," he said.