Ukraine pushes into Russia: CIA warns of Kursk counteroffensive

Ukraine intends to hold the occupied territories in southwestern Russia for some time, which will not be easy, assessed CIA Deputy Director David Cohen. He added that a Russian counteroffensive should be expected in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces are currently operating.

During a security industry conference in Bethesda, Maryland, Cohen also emphasized that Russia is expected to carry out a counteroffensive in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces are currently operating. He also noted that Vladimir Putin will have to "reckon with the public reaction to the Ukrainian army's occupation of part of Russia."

According to information provided by the CIA deputy director, Russia's recent territorial gains in the Pokrovsk region of Donetsk have brought it significant losses and do not play a key strategic role.

On Tuesday, information became available that Ukrainian soldiers also attacked the Belgorod region in Russia.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine began an offensive operation in the Kursk region on August 6. Kyiv reported an increase in the area controlled by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. According to Oleksandr Syrskyi, the area occupied by the Ukrainian armed forces has increased to 488 square miles. It contains 100 localities.

So far, Ukrainian forces near Kursk have taken 594 Russian soldiers captive.

The Ukrainian army entered without major issues, as the Russians completely did not account for the possibility of an invasion. Not even the spring raids carried out in this area by Ukrainian-allied forces, Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), Siberia Battalion, and the "Freedom of Russia" Legion were a warning signal for the Kremlin.