The incursion, involving around 1,000 Ukrainian troops, along with tanks and armored vehicles, crossed the Russian border in the Kursk region.
On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden remarked that Ukraine’s recent military incursion into Russia has posed a significant challenge for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The operation, involving about 1,000 Ukrainian troops, along with tanks and armored vehicles, crossed the Russian border in the Kursk region in the early hours of August 6th.
Addressing reporters upon his arrival in New Orleans, President Biden noted the complexity of the situation, stating, “It’s creating a real dilemma for Putin.”
This marks his first in-depth comment on the operation, which appears to have caught Russian forces off guard.
He added that US officials have been in constant communication with Ukrainian counterparts since the incursion began, with briefings occurring every four to five hours over the past several days.
The incursion is believed to be part of a broader strategy by Ukraine to pressure Russia into reallocating its troops from Ukraine to defend its own territory.
This cross-border assault could force Russia to pull troops away from key areas in Ukraine, potentially easing the pressure on Ukrainian forces in other parts of the country.
While the US has provided billions of dollars in weaponry to Ukraine, mainly for defensive purposes, President Biden authorized the use of US-supplied weapons for attacks on military targets within Russia in May, specifically those supporting offensives against Ukrainian cities like Kharkiv.
However, the White House stressed that Ukraine did not inform the US in advance about the Kursk operation, and the US had no role in the attack.
“We had nothing to do with this,” White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One. “We will continue to discuss their approach with the Ukrainians, but ultimately, it is up to them to address this matter.”
In response to the incursion, Russian forces launched a counterattack on Tuesday, deploying missiles, drones, and airstrikes against Ukrainian troops.
President Putin speculated that Ukraine’s operation might be intended to enhance its negotiating leverage ahead of potential peace talks or to slow the advance of Russian forces along the front lines.
Despite ongoing analysis, US officials are still unsure about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s ultimate objectives. “We’re trying to determine exactly what their goals are, and it’s still not entirely clear,” said a US official.
As the situation evolves, the international community is closely monitoring how Ukraine’s bold move will impact the broader conflict and whether it will alter the dynamics of the war.
