Media Reveals the Purpose of Ukraine's Attack in Russia's Kursk Region

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are participating in an offensive in Russia's Kursk region, with the aim to "destabilize" Russia, a senior official from Ukraine's security agencies has told AFP.

"We are conducting an attack. The goal is to stretch the enemy's positions, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation in Russia, as it is unable to defend its own borders," the official, who requested anonymity, said to the agency.

Earlier, Russian military officials reported that around 1,000 Ukrainian troops were involved in operations in the Kursk region; however, the source in Kyiv claimed that the number is significantly higher. According to him, the incursion into the Kursk region has considerably boosted the morale of Ukrainians, as reported by the BBC.

"This has significantly elevated our fighting spirit, the morale of the Ukrainian army, the state, and society," the official stated. "This operation demonstrated that we can go on the offensive and move forward."

The source emphasized that Ukraine will strictly adhere to international humanitarian law during the incursion into Russia and does not intend to annex any territory. "It is very important that Ukraine does not violate any conventions. We strictly follow the preservation of humanitarian law: We do not decapitate prisoners, we do not rape women, we do not desecrate corpses," he assured.

However, Ukraine's incursion into Russian territory has not weakened the Russian forces' offensive in eastern Ukraine, although the intensity of the assaults has slightly diminished. The source admitted that Russians are not withdrawing their troops from eastern positions but noted that the intensity of Russian assaults has slightly decreased.