A year ago this week, President Vladmir Putin commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Kursk, praising it as a great feat of the Soviet people during World War II. Fast forward to the present, and Kursk is once again in the spotlight for a very different reason.
Recently, Ukrainian forces launched a swift offensive in the Kursk region, capturing villages, taking prisoners, and displacing tens of thousands of civilians. Russia was caught off guard and is now mobilizing conscripts to counter the attack.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Putin and his officials have downplayed the events in Kursk, referring to them as a 'situation' or 'provocation.' State media has portrayed the events as a humanitarian crisis rather than a military incursion.
Since the conflict began, Russia has faced internal challenges, including drone attacks, uprisings, and corruption scandals within the military. The elites in Russia, who have been impacted by Western sanctions, are questioning Putin's leadership and whether he remains an asset or a liability.
As the Ukrainian offensive continues, Russia is struggling to find adequate forces to repel the assault. Conscripts are being deployed with insufficient training, and reserves are being called up to avoid pulling troops from other regions.
The ongoing conflict raises questions about the sustainability of Putin's leadership and the potential outcomes if the elites deem the war unwinnable. The suffering of residents in towns like Sudzha, now under Ukrainian control, highlights the human cost of the conflict.
While the second battle of Kursk may not yet be a definitive turning point in the war, it contributes to the growing sense of unrest and uncertainty in Russia.
