Ukraine's Surprise Offensive in Kursk Puts Putin on the Defensive

Ukraine's surprise offensive in the Kursk region has caught Russia off guard and put Putin on the defensive. The Ukrainian forces have seized territory, used advanced military tactics, and coordinated various arms, such as air defense and drones, to gain an advantage.

This move may be a strategic move to gain leverage in future negotiations with Russia. Russia, however, is leveraging its numerical advantage and seeking to stabilize the lines and attrite Ukrainian forces over time.

Ukraine now faces the choice between withdrawing or defending the seized territory. The operation has shown that Ukraine can use Western equipment inside Russia without major escalation.

However, Russia has increased its push into Donetsk, which may lead to another round of Russian mobilization. The incursion has embarrassed Putin and disrupted the Russian government and society.

It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what the next steps for both sides will be.