By Ollus Ndomu
Ukrainian troops have captured a command post in Russia’s border region of Kursk, marking a significant and symbolic advance in the ongoing conflict. In a video shared by WarTranslated blogger Dmitri Masinski, Ukrainian soldiers are seen mocking Russian military leaders, including General Valery Gerasimov. One soldier jokingly shouts, “Where is the ammo?” while pretending to call the general, prompting laughter from his comrades.
This bold move by Ukrainian forces is part of a broader strategy to create a “buffer zone” in the Kursk region, with plans to establish humanitarian corridors for civilians wishing to evacuate either to Russia or Ukraine. Senior Kyiv officials have indicated that this operation could force Russia to redeploy troops, potentially easing military pressure on Ukraine’s southern and eastern fronts.
According to Peter Dickinson, UkraineAlert editor at the Eurasia Centre of the Atlantic Council, the attack represents a “watershed moment” and further exposes the vulnerabilities in Russia’s military strategy. Dickinson notes that Ukraine’s recent successes have repeatedly “made a mockery” of Putin’s red lines, with the Russian leader’s threats of nuclear escalation being met with strategic retreats instead.
The Ukrainian offensive also coincides with a drone strike targeting four Russian military airfields, including those in Voronezh, Kursk, Savasleyka, and Borisoglebsk. A Ukrainian security source informed Reuters that the strike aimed to cripple Russia’s ability to use warplanes for attacks on Ukraine. Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its air defenses had destroyed 117 drones and four tactical missiles launched by Ukraine, though the extent of the damage is still being assessed.
This latest escalation highlights Ukraine’s growing military confidence and could potentially shift the dynamics of the conflict as Western leaders are urged to reconsider their approach to arming Ukraine.
