Expert reveals why Putin handed Kursk Oblast control to FSB instead of military
Read NV on Google
Russia may have entrusted the defense of Kursk Oblast to the Federal Security Service (FSB) rather than the military for several reasons, Valeriy Klochok, head of the Vezha think tank, told Radio NV on Aug. 12.
"[Russian dictator Vladimir] Putin decided that the situation in Kursk Oblast should be managed by the security services rather than the military," Klochok said.
"There could be several reasons for this. Firstly, Putin now views Defense Minister [Andrei Belousov] as weak, and he also considers the Chief of the General Staff [of the Russian Federation] Valery Gerasimov ineffective, as this was primarily his responsibility."
The political scientist speculated that Gerasimov might be made the scapegoat for the failure in Kursk:
"The narrative is already being spun that he knew about a potential attack from Ukraine but failed to report it — whether due to negligence, drunkenness, or simply underestimating the threats. There could indeed be several reasons."
Klochok also pointed out another factor in the success of the Ukrainian operation in Kursk:
"I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the Ukrainian Armed Forces and command executed a strategic maneuver, feigning readiness for defense in Kursk Oblast, and thus capitalized on the negligence and short-sightedness of the Russian military leadership."
Kursk Oblast Raid
Russian propagandists claimed that Ukrainian forces had allegedly penetrated the Sudzha district of Kursk Oblast on Aug. 6. The Russian Ministry of Defense later confirmed fighting in the region. Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov stated that Ukraine had supposedly entered with about 1,000 troops, using Western Stryker armored vehicles, tanks, UAVs, air defense systems, and electronic warfare equipment.
Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on these events.
On Aug. 8, Russian local news outlets reported that fighting in Kursk Oblast was occurring approximately 26 kilometers from the border. The Washington Post, citing a “presidential advisor to Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” reported that Ukraine had allegedly taken control of the Sudzha gas measurement station in Kursk Oblast.
Kurchatov Mayor Igor Korpunkov stated on Aug. 9 that fighting was taking place several dozen kilometers from the city, where the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant is located.
In response to these events, Russia introduced a "counterterrorism operation" regime in Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts, including measures such as monitoring telephone conversations and other communications.
Politico reported that Germany and other Ukrainian allies had previously been reluctant to allow Kyiv to strike inside Russia, but recent events in Kursk Oblast might change this stance.
On Aug. 9, a video was posted online showing more than ten pieces of burnt-out Russian military equipment, mostly trucks, along with the bodies of soldiers. The BBC Verify service later confirmed that the video of the destroyed Russian column was filmed near the village of Oktyabrskoye, close to Rylsk in Kursk Oblast.
Yuriy Butusov, editor-in-chief of Censor.net, reported on Aug. 10, citing the Khorne Group unit of the 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade, that 490 "downed Tango's" were counted in the destroyed column.
On Aug. 11, acting governor of Kursk Oblast Aleksey Smirnov claimed that a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group had entered the Belaya district, which borders Sumy Oblast. According to the BBC, Ukrainian troops may have advanced 30 kilometers into Russia.
Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are taking part in the military operation in Kursk Oblast, according to a senior Ukrainian official quoted by AFP on Aug. 11.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
