Despite numerous warnings, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky authorized a daring military raid into Russian territory last week, marking the first encounter between Russian citizens and Ukrainian soldiers since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
"Ukraine is demonstrating its ability to bring justice and apply the exact pressure needed on the aggressor," Zelensky declared earlier this week.
The conflict is now centered around the Kursk region near the Ukrainian border, leading to the evacuation of local residents. According to Russian authorities, approximately 2,000 people are currently in areas controlled by Ukrainian forces. Zelensky reported that at least 74 villages have come under Ukrainian control, with dozens already occupied.
In a shift from his previous stance, Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Ukraine is targeting civilians - a departure from earlier calls for Ukrainian surrender and a denial of Russia's documented human rights violations.
While some in Moscow believed the incursion could be quickly repelled, Kyiv has adapted its strategy based on the Russian responses to past events, allowing Ukrainian forces to sustain their presence and push further into Russian territory.
* Arutz 7 contributed to this article.
