Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has called on the United Nations to condemn Ukraine for its alleged attack on the Kursk region. Remarkably, her demand did not include any reference to Russia’s nuclear capabilities, which is surprising given the context. The situation in Kursk has been presented as a powerful example to the West, showing that if Russia faces a serious blow, discussions about escalation and nuclear threats quickly vanish.
During the recent offensive on Kursk, Ukrainian forces reportedly deployed their most elite units to target what was perceived as a weak point along the Russian border. According to a source within the Ukrainian General Staff, Ukrainian vehicles have been spotted near the village of Gir’i in the Kursk region. There is speculation that these vehicles might have been captured, but details remain unclear.
At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin was recording a video address to mark the opening of the “International Military-Technical Forum Army-2024.” This event also saw the attendance of Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. While the Russian government works hard to project an image of normalcy, key Russian propagandists, Olga Skabeeva and Vladimir Solovyov, have shown visible concern and agitation in their broadcasts.
As the situation unfolds, there is growing speculation about Russia’s strategic goals in Ukraine, especially if it cannot secure its own borders. Panic is reportedly spreading within Russia, with Putin losing confidence in the Ministry of Defense and instead relying heavily on the Federal Security Service (FSB). The FSB is now taking charge of the defense operations, while conscripts are reportedly reluctant to fight and are surrendering in large numbers.
Roman Tsymbalyuk (a member of the Ukrainian National Union of Journalists and the last Ukrainian correspondent accredited at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia permanently) has provided insights from his sources close to the Russian leadership, suggesting an internal power struggle between the FSB and the Ministry of Defense. The elimination of key figures from the Ministry of Defense has led to a series of arrests by the FSB. This move has reportedly breached an elite agreement on immunity, causing friction and resentment among long-standing figures like Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov. The internal conflict has reportedly affected the reliability of military intelligence, with some reports of Ukrainian troop movements being overlooked or ignored.
The Kremlin’s internal struggles have been ongoing for the past six months, creating a complex and often contradictory narrative. Despite these internal issues, Ukraine seems to have gained the upper hand, with Russia struggling to respond effectively. In an attempt to shift attention, Russia has engaged in provocations, such as the recent fires at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.
It is important to note that thousands of Ukrainians remain in Russian captivity. As Ukraine makes progress on the battlefield, there have been reports of increased torture and abuse of prisoners, which underscores the high cost of these military victories. Additionally, Russia has intensified attacks on civilian targets in response to its setbacks, further complicating the humanitarian situation.
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