Ukraine's Kursk offensive could spell endgame for Putin
According to retired British Army Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, the Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region could signal the beginning of the end for Putin. "Ukraine is currently in a much more favorable strategic position than Russia," he writes for "The Telegraph."
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon recalls that dictator Vladimir Putin assured Russians in his speech that by Christmas (January 7), "he will reclaim the sacred Russian land in the Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces spectacularly captured last summer."
Putin humiliated for the second time. Ukrainians launch an attack
"But this is looking like another psychological blow to his dictatorship as a new Ukraine offensive pushes eastwards. Kursk may well be the beginning of the end for Putin in 2025, as it was for Hitler in 1943," writes Bretton-Gordon.
The British colonel mocked the Russian leader's "special military operation," which has been ongoing for almost three years. He suggested that Zelensky remain in power next year while Putin might find himself in "a villa in North Korea or breaking rocks in the Urals."
De Bretton-Gordon points out that Russian history provides little hope for failed dictators. He also stresses that the stakes in the conflict are increasing for both parties involved.
Putin experienced humiliation in Syria when Assad's regime fell and in Moscow itself when one of his key generals and allies, Igor Kirillov, was killed right on his doorstep.
"In his annual Christmas question and answer session on National and International TV, he fibbed through his teeth, trying to appear swan-like above the water, but everyone knows he’s peddling frantically below it," notes de Bretton-Gordon.
The colonel optimistically assesses the situation in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have launched a new attack on Russian forces in recent days.
According to him, these actions were preceded by an almost complete rout of Russia's 810th Marine Brigade and significant losses among North Korean allies of Russia.
"The Russian front in Kursk is looking very shaky and Ukraine, rather than just hold on, could make gains," he writes.
Is Putin in "survival mode"?
He adds that Russia does not have the military equipment to stop the latest Ukrainian advances.
According to the colonel, this gives great hope. He believes Putin is in "survival mode" following events in Syria, the elimination of General Kirillov, and the final cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukrainian territory.
"Allied to this, he knows Trump is unlikely to do him any favours come Jan. 20, with the ‘mood’ music coming out of the Trump Camp, that Putin is going to have to accept a deal which probably favours Ukraine or be prepared for Trump to go full on behind Zelenskyy," adds Bretton-Gordon.
According to him, Putin knows that Russian dictators who have failed rarely receive retirements and seems to be seeking a way out.
"His last attempt to save the Kursk region puts him in a 'check,' if not 'checkmate' situation," notes the colonel.
He is convinced that Ukraine's strategic situation looks better than Russia's.
However, NATO must continue to exert pressure and not give Putin any way out. If the West maintains this resolve, the prospects for Ukraine will become very promising, concludes Colonel Bretton-Gordon.
