The Ukrainian armed incursion into Russia is entering its sixth day, with no sign of withdrawal. Despite reinforcing its forces in the Kursk region, Russia has made little if any headway in stopping Ukraine's advance, giving Russian tyrant and war criminal Vladimir Putin a huge humiliation. More from France24:
"Ukraine has deployed thousands of troops in a major incursion into Russia's western Kursk region, in a bid to 'stretch' and 'destabilise' Russia, a senior Ukrainian security official told AFP.
Ukrainian units stormed into Russian territory on Tuesday in a surprise attack that has developed into the most significant cross-border assault by Kyiv since the conflict began in February 2022.
'We are on the offensive. The aim is to stretch the positions of the enemy, to inflict maximum losses and to destabilise the situation in Russia as they are unable to protect their own border,' the official said late Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Russian army earlier said Ukraine had deployed around 1,000 soldiers in the incursion which appeared to catch the Kremlin off guard with Ukrainian forces successfully penetrating Russian defensive lines.
Asked whether 1,000 Ukrainian troops were taking part in the assault, the official said: 'It is a lot more... thousands'. (our emphasis)
The incursion has also given a big morale boost to Ukrainians, who have suffered two-and-a-half years of missile and drone attacks on their civilian infrastructure, housing and public buildings by the criminal Russian invaders. Watching them get some of their own medicine in return is invigorating.
It's important that the Biden Administration not go soft on Ukraine during their counterpunch. These are legitimate targets behind Russian lines -- military airfields, gas works, infrastructure -- that support Russia's criminal war effort. Putin's bluster in the past has proven to be just that, and we need to stand firm in denying Russia a "safe haven" to launch their brutal war on Ukraine.
(photo: Mikhail Klimentyev / RIA NOVOSTI / AFP via Getty Images)
