Ukraine Launches Large Scale Offensive Attack in Russia
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched an invasion into Ukraine that started war, dramatically escalating a conflict that had been going on since as early as 2014.
Recently, Ukraine launched an attack into Kursk, Russia, on August 6, 2024, initiating its first large-scale offensive inside of Russia. Ukraine’s goal has been to hurt Russian morale, occupy land for later negotiations, and force Russian soldiers to end their advance through Donbass.
Russia had promised to not send conscripts to the frontlines in Ukraine, but they are sending them to defend Russian territory in order to prevent sending trained soldiers away from the front. This action has been controversial among Russian people, with petitions being signed to have them send the conscripts home.
While Ukraine has captured nearly 500 square miles of Russian land and has plans to keep control over the land, it has not prevented or delayed Russia’s advance through Donbass.
Russian attacks have increased across the front, and in Donbass from August to early September, the army was able to advance around 340 square miles.
Russia continues to take heavy casualties but is advancing slowly, putting more strain on Ukraine’s diminishing military reserves. Ukraine has already been forced to lower their conscription age from 27 to 25, and has been forced to pick its fights more tactically since their ammunition has diminished.
Ukraine has asked the west for more ammunition and long range missiles, a request that has remained controversial as many western nations, chiefly the US, view the use of western weapons being deployed inside of Russia as a risk that may escalate the war.
New fervor has been placed on this request as Russia recently struck the city of Poltava Ukraine. This strike hit a military academy and a nearby hospital.
This attack killed 53 people and has left 271 people injured. It’s been the deadliest attack in the Poltava Oblast so far in the war.
This caused President Zelensky to call on the west to ensure that air defenses and long range missiles are promptly delivered to Ukraine.
President Joe Biden, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, and Germany’s Foreign Chancellor all condemned the attack, while Ukrainian politicians have attacked the country’s military leadership.
President Zelensky has promised a major cabinet reshuffle, changing nine cabinet heads on September 5th, saying that they needed new energy and “…these steps are related to strengthening our state in various areas.”
