Re: Ukraine's Curve Ball

On Thu, 8 Aug 2024, JAB wrote:

Bloomberg
Ukraine's Surprise Incursion Into Russia Turns the Tables on Putin
...
...
The incursion by as many as 1,000 Ukrainian troops into the Kursk
region that's now in its third day caught out the Russian military.
It's the first time since World War II that another country's army has
invaded Russia.
>
A grim-faced Putin summoned his army and security-service chiefs for
an explanation yesterday. Furious Russian military bloggers accused
top officials of staggering incompetence.
>
European gas prices rose amid reports of fighting near a key Russian
station on the last remaining pipeline route to Europe via Ukraine. So
far, gas continues to flow.
...
...
Ukraine has said nothing about the mission or its goals. Theories
abound, from an attempt to seize territory as a potential bargaining
chip in future negotiations with Moscow, to a diversionary tactic to
ease pressure on stretched defenses in Ukraine by drawing Russian
forces away from the frontline.
>
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-08-08/ukraine-s-surprise-incursion-into-russia-turns-the-tables-on-putin
>

Interesting! Yes, bargaining chip, or perhaps a pincer maneuver? On the other hand, the more territory they grab, the more area they need to defend so can they defend the territory without spreading their resources too thin?