This is confirmed by a spokesman for the Russian authorities in a video shared on the messaging service Telegram on Monday, according to the Reuters news agency. On Sunday, a Ukrainian officer said they had destroyed a strategic bridge over the Seym River in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Kursk lies on the border with Ukraine, where Ukrainian soldiers have advanced in recent days in a new offensive. It is the first time since the Second World War that a foreign power is fighting on Russian soil. The purpose of the attack was to prevent supplies from reaching a Russian group fighting in the area, according to Reuters. Using Russian positions By removing the bridges that go over the Seym, the Ukrainians can use the river as a barricade northwards towards Russia, says lieutenant colonel and head teacher at the Military Academy Palle Ydstebø. – In addition, the Russian fortifications are located south of the river. Then Ukraine can use the positions and blockades Russia has already created as part of its defense against Russia’s attempts to take the areas back. Palle Ydstebø Photo: Hanna Johre / news He thinks it will be difficult for the Russians to take back the areas that are now isolated from the rest of the country. – Ukraine has elements from six brigades inside this area. The Russians may need three times as many forces to drive them out again. They cannot do that without bringing in forces from the front further south in Ukraine. So this offensive has started to create a number of dilemmas for Russia. Zelenskyj: – The goal is to create a buffer zone Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyj, says the goal of the Kursk offensive is to create a buffer zone. This is written by the news agency AP. It is the first time the president has expressed in clear words what the goal of Ukraine’s raid in the Russian county of Kursk is, writes NTB. Earlier, Zelenskyj said that the military operation aims to protect the population of Sumy, on the Ukrainian side of the border, from persistent Russian attacks. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers entered Kursk almost two weeks ago. Ydstebø says it seems logical to use the area as a buffer zone for Ukraine. – By cutting the three bridges along the Seym river, you will be able to get a good buffer zone for Ukrainian soldiers from south of the river down to the border. Believes in new bridge attacks If the blowing up of bridges should prove effective, Ydstebø believes that we will be able to see more such attacks in the future. – I see that as very likely. But whether it will be along the border to form a buffer zone, or whether it will be to weaken the supply system in general around Kursk, depends on what Ukraine sees fit for. He believes that it is now Ukraine that seems to have the initiative in the offensive. – Although the Russians have raised a good number of forces, they have not been able to prevent Ukraine from developing the offensive further. It is still fluid, but I would say that so far Ukraine has the initiative. Published 19.08.2024, at 15.47
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A new Russian bridge has been bombed by Ukraine – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
