Ukraine's Kursk incursion shows it's learned not to tease its big offensives before going in for the kill

Tue, 08/13/2024 - 04:01

A Ukrainian T-64 crew pose in their armored vehicle for a photo. — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Kyiv's troops were fighting in Russia, days after reports emerged that Ukraine was breaking Russian lines in Kursk.
ROMAN PILIPEY/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine launched its attack on Kursk on Tuesday but has said little about its incursion.
That contrasts with its failed counteroffensive in 2023, when it even released a teaser video.
While remaining largely silent on Kursk, Kyiv says it has taken nearly 400 sq miles of Russian territory in days.

As Ukraine pushes further into Russian territory this week, it's becoming increasingly clear that Kyiv was leaning on one key factor of its surprise attack on Kursk: the element of surprise itself.