Ukraine incursion was a ‘shock’ to Russians: Former Russian diplomat
Russia’s Kursk region sees fierce battles unfold – as Ukrainian soldiers expand their assault.
Kyiv claims to have seized more than a thousand square kilometres in the Kursk region and intends to continue its offensive despite Russia’s recent efforts to counter it. The incursion has led Moscow to evacuate at least 200,000 people, mobilise reserves, and impose a security lockdown.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Andrei Federov, a former Russian deputy foreign minister, described Ukraine’s incursion as a significant pressure tactic against Russia. He termed it a "shock" rather than an intelligence failure, attributing it to the extensive border with Ukraine and vulnerabilities exploited by Ukrainian forces. Federov added that driving Ukrainian forces out would be challenging due to the Sudzha metering station’s presence, which is crucial for Russian gas exports to Europe.
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