Russia has accused Britain of being behind a remarkable “mini-invasion” of Ukraine that has stunned Vladimir Putin.
This week, for the first time since the conflict began, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers crossed the Russian border. These troops have since reinforced their positions, indicating that Ukraine intends to hold on to the territory it has conquered.
The move – described last night by a former UK intelligence officer as a “masterstroke” – could be a game-changer in future peace talks.
Speaking on state television, Putin called the Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory, some 320 miles from Moscow, a “large-scale provocation.”
In an apparent attempt to deflect blame, a senior Russian politician last night accused Britain of instigating and participating in the operation.
Adalbi Shkhagoshev, a member of the State Duma committee, told Russian media: “Britain took part in all these raids. English was heard.”
The Kursk region, where the raid took place, is critical to Russian gas supplies, so Moscow’s highly lucrative natural resource exports could be jeopardized.
Russia has accused Britain of being behind the remarkable “mini-invasion” of Ukraine that has stunned Vladimir Putin (pictured)
A graphic detailing Ukraine’s “mini-invasion” of Russia. Unverified images on social media suggested Russian recruits surrendered near the town of Sudzha
A convoy of Ukrainian military equipment, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, a UR-77 mine-clearing vehicle and other military machinery, enters Russia
If Ukraine manages to hold on to its territory, it could use it as a bargaining chip to reclaim Russian-occupied areas in the east of the country.
Last night, Putin faced a dilemma: accept such a strategically damaging and embarrassing loss of territory or assemble a force capable of dislodging Ukrainian forces.
The second option would require withdrawing thousands of Russian troops from the 700-mile front line in eastern Ukraine, which would inevitably weaken those positions.
Last night, former British military intelligence officer Philip Ingram said: “The mini-invasion targeted an area where Russian defences are weak. Ukraine has embarrassed Putin and the Russian military.”
‘They have brought the war to ordinary Russians and set the conditions for negotiations.
“It is too early to determine Ukraine’s ultimate goals, but on the surface it could be a coup if they manage to continue the advance and hold off Russian counterattacks.”
Russia’s losses include at least two Ka-52 helicopters, several tanks and other military vehicles.
Ukraine’s objectives have not been explained, but the Russians fear that one of their goals may be to reach the Kursk nuclear power plant, an important strategic asset.
Kremlin chiefs held crisis meetings with officials in Kursk last night on how to respond.
Unverified images on social media suggest that Russian recruits surrendered near the town of Sudzha. Meanwhile, thousands of civilians have also been evacuated.
The advance began on Tuesday and by late yesterday Ukrainian forces were reportedly 12 miles inside Russia. Heavy fighting continued.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said: ‘Russia has always believed that legal norms do not apply to it, so it can attack neighbouring countries with impunity.
‘But war is war, with its own rules, where the aggressor inevitably gets the corresponding consequences.
“The root cause of any escalation, including on Russian territory, such as Kursk, is solely Russia’s unequivocal aggression.”
Previous Ukrainian incursions into Russian territory have been hit-and-run missions, but this operation involves regular troops supported by artillery, engineers and drones.
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