This is the second week of Ukraine’s offensive into Kursk Oblast. I’d like to say the overall purpose is clearer now, but I’d be lying. The one thing I think we can rule out is a smash-and-grab raid. To date, Ukraine’s Western allies have been muted about the operation. I think that the Biden national security team still has a case of the squirts and would object if they thought the Ukrainians would keep quiet and do as they’re told.
Ukraine continues to push top-quality troops into the theater while Russia is relying on conscripts and border troops with some Russian Army formations to stem the tide.
This is my previous update: Russia Invaded, Week 1. The State of Play.
CURRENT SITUATION
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi displayed a map depicting the situation in Kursk Oblast on August 20, and ISW will use the boundaries of this map to update its…