A year ago this week, President Vladmir Putin commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Kursk, highlighting it as a significant moment in Soviet army history during World War II. Now, with the 81st anniversary approaching, Kursk is back in the spotlight for a different reason. Ukrainian forces made a swift advance into the region, seizing villages, capturing hundreds of prisoners, and displacing tens of thousands of civilians. Russia was caught off guard and is reportedly mobilizing conscripts to counter the attack by battle-tested Ukrainian units.
Putin, known for his slow responses to crises, has downplayed the situation at Kursk. Since the conflict began over two years ago, Russia has faced internal turmoil with cities enduring shelling and drone attacks. The Kremlin has been embroiled in a purge of Defense Ministry officials amid corruption allegations, even impacting decorated military commanders. Additionally, authorities have initiated criminal cases against officials and begun confiscating land from wealthy individuals near a Putin residence.
Despite setbacks like the incursion in Kursk, state media continues to showcase strong support for Putin. However, there is growing discontent among Russia’s elites, including high-ranking officials, business leaders, and military figures, who are grappling with the effects of Western sanctions and a deteriorating quality of life. They are weighing whether Putin remains an asset or a liability.
As the Ukrainian offensive intensifies, Russia faces challenges in countering the assault. Conscripts are being deployed to Kursk with inadequate training, and reserves are being called up to avoid withdrawing troops from the Donbas region. The Russian government is resorting to offering high salaries, drafting convicts, and recruiting foreigners to bolster their forces. The duration of the conflict raises concerns about its sustainability and the repercussions it may have on Putin’s grip on power.
In Sudzha, a town in the Kursk region under Ukrainian control, residents are enduring hardships due to the conflict. Shelled buildings, damaged infrastructure, and civilians seeking refuge underground mirror the scenes witnessed in Ukraine over the past months. The evolving situation in Kursk has the potential to shape the trajectory of the war initiated by Putin, painting a grim picture of the challenges facing Russia both internally and externally.
