Text: Zhuge Peiliang
Editor|Zhuge Peiliang
Can the Russian army really recapture Kursk? As the deadline approaches, time seems to be on Ukraine's side. The elite units of the Ukrainian army have taken root in Kursk and have built a line of defense that is difficult to break. And although the Russian army tried its best, it was never able to tear through this strong line of defense in the face of stubborn resistance. With only half a month left, can Russia reverse its defeat? Or will Kursk become a symbol of victory for Ukraine? A life-and-death battle has quietly begun, and the following reveals even more intense battle scenes.
Kursk, a place that has left its mark on history, is once again in the global spotlight. In 2024, the flames of the Russia-Ukraine conflict have burned here, and a decisive showdown is brewing. This is not a continuation of the Cold War, but a realistic game of blood and fire. For Russia, Kursk is not only a geographical term, but also a battle for face and honor. For Ukraine, this place is also a strong fortress that must not be easily recovered by the Russian army. The intensity of this conflict has long exceeded people's imagination, and the outcome may be known in the next half a month.
As early as 2022, Ukraine launched partial control of the Kursk region, and the Ukrainian army entrenched in this strategic place seems to be ready for a protracted war. Frankly, Ukraine did not save any "face" for Russia this time. From the beginning of the occupation of parts of Kursk at that time, Ukraine was determined to hold this land firmly in its hands and vowed to die. And they know that the importance of recovering this region for Russia is like a war of revenge, and the national dignity of Russia is at stake.
In the face of Russia's powerful offensive in Kursk, the Ukrainian army did not flinch in the slightest, they laid the strongest defense line and deployed the latest anti-tank and anti-air defense systems. The will of Ukraine soldiers is like steel, they know that they are facing a strong army, but they also know that there can be no slackening. It was a war that could not be lost, and the soldiers fought for every inch of land under artillery fire and air raids. Ukraine knows in their hearts that once lost, the iron cavalry of the Russian army will pour in like a tide, and there is no room for recovery.
The Ukrainian army also took advantage of the terrain to transform the battle into a mode of combining street fighting and guerrilla warfare. Although the firepower of the Russian army is strong, under Ukraine's "flexible and mobile" operational ideas, Russia's large corps offensive often appears clumsy and ineffective. As one front-line soldier said: "The Russian army came and went, walked and came, and Ukraine is really desperately guarding its home this time!" ”
Russia have always regarded themselves as a fighting nation, and Kursk is an unyielding strategic place for them, and it is a major issue related to domestic and foreign face. Putin has publicly stated that Kursk must be taken by October 2024, which is a "death order". Thus, we see that the Russia army begins to go all out. Tanks, armored vehicles, rocket artillery, wave after wave of heavy weapons began to smash towards the positions of the Ukrainian army. The Russians are obviously unwilling to drag on any longer, and want to completely break the Ukrainian defense line with a swift and heavy blow.
The Russian army's combat methods are direct and violent, large-scale air strikes, long-range missile coverage, all of which put the Ukrainian defense line under great pressure. It can be said that Russia is "desperate" this time. From Putin's point of view, if even the Kursk cannot be taken, Russia's international image will be hit like never before, and the national mood at home may also explode due to defeat. So, Putin has no way out.
However, war is not simply desperate. Even though the Russian army's firepower advantage is obvious, in the face of the Ukrainian army's impregnable defensive line, their offensive has been repeatedly frustrated. Under the intensive anti-aircraft fire, the effect of the Russian army's air attack was not as significant as expected, and the Ukrainian army used advanced unmanned aerial systems to detect and strike the important positions of the Russian army in a timely manner, so that the Russian army was always in a passive state. Some Russian commanders on the front line also had to admit that "Ukraine's defensive forces are indeed more tenacious than expected, and the losses of the Russian army are much greater than expected." ”
As we entered mid-September, the situation in Kursk became increasingly tense. The fighting between Russia and Ukraine here has become more and more intense, and it has gradually evolved into a "tug-of-war". Although the Russian army has invested a lot of heavy equipment and troops, it cannot make decisive progress in the short term in the face of the deep defense line and stubborn resistance of the Ukrainian army. Although the Ukrainian army occupies the advantage of the terrain, it is also tired of coping with the continuous offensive of the Russian army.
On the battlefield, the sound of bullets and tank tracks is endless. Ukraine's soldiers held their positions tightly in the deep trenches, and although they knew that the large-scale offensive of the Russian army could come again at any time, they had no way back, only to defend to the death. And the soldiers of the Russian army, under the urging of their commanders, constantly charged, and although they were exhausted, the order "Kursk must be taken" left them with no choice.
The outcome of this war, as if it is no longer determined by the advanced degree of weapons, but by the willpower of both sides. Both sides know that this is not a simple tactical game, but a confrontation with all their might, and only those who really persevere to the end will be victorious.
The battle for Kursk not only affects the fate of the two countries, but also attracts the attention of the entire international community. United States and the European Union have unsurprisingly condemned Russia's actions, arguing that the Russia's military offensive will further exacerbate regional tensions and undermine global peace and stability. These Western countries called on both sides to resolve the issue through dialogue and avoid further expansion of the war. Russia obviously does not pay attention to such "empty words", and Putin's goal is clear, that is, to achieve victory in Kursk with practical actions.
A number of neutral countries are also closely monitoring the development of the situation. For them, the conflict in Kursk is not only a matter for the two countries, but more likely to affect the security situation in the entire Eurasian region. Once the Russia-Ukraine conflict further expands, the war may spread to more countries, leading to a wider military confrontation. Every diplomatic move by countries at this time must be extremely cautious.
China, for its part, has taken a relatively neutral stance and called on both sides to exercise restraint and resolve the dispute through diplomatic channels. We stress that peace is the only way to solve the problem and that any military action will only further worsen the situation. At the same time, China is stepping up its mediation efforts in the hope that through the efforts of the international community, the two sides will be able to restart the negotiating table as soon as possible and avoid more casualties among innocent civilians.
War is always a disaster for ordinary people. The fighting in Kursk continues, and many people have been forced to flee their homes. They dragged their tired bodies and carried their only belongings, struggling to survive between artillery fire and bullets. Those who do not have the opportunity to flee will be left to survive in the rubble, waiting for the day when the war will end.
The war brings not only direct casualties, but also long-term economic hardship. Shops in Kursk are short of supplies, prices are skyrocketing, and ordinary people cannot afford to buy food and daily necessities. Electricity is intermittent, hospitals are crowded with wounded civilians and soldiers, and medical supplies are almost depleted. Those who live in war zones are rubbing shoulders with death every day.
The domestic economies of Russia and Ukraine are also under great pressure due to the war. Russia's international image has been greatly affected by the war, and the economic sanctions of Western countries have made Russia even worse. On the other hand, although Ukraine has received a lot of international assistance, domestic reconstruction and people's livelihood problems have not been solved, and the shadow of war still looms over the entire country.
Halfway through September, there are only a few weeks left before the deadline set by Putin. The offensive of the Russian army is still strong, but the defense line of the Ukrainian army is impregnable. The war seems to have entered the final countdown, and every second is a reminder to both sides that the victory or defeat is about to be decided.
Russian generals know that time is not on their side. Every moment of delay is a huge blow to Russia. And the Ukrainian army also knows that it cannot relax, and once the Russian army makes a breakthrough, the whole situation may be reversed in an instant.
What will be the fate of Kursk, perhaps only time will tell. As one front-line soldier put it: "Kursk is a fortress made of blood and fire, and we will either hold it or die here." ”
The cruelty of war is clear, but the call for peace remains loud. Both Russia and Ukraine, as well as the international community, know that continuing the war will only bring more casualties and disasters. The reality is that peace is never easy. In the battle for Kursk, neither side is willing to back down, and it seems that only victory or defeat can end this protracted standoff.
We can only hope that in the near future, the flames of war in Kursk will be extinguished and peace will come to the land again. War is never the best way to solve problems, and it is only through dialogue and compromise that lasting peace and tranquility can truly be brought to people.
The story of Kursk is not over yet, but whatever the outcome, the scars of the war will be deeply rooted in the land. Hopefully, the world will learn from this and avoid a similar tragedy from happening again.
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