Putin says it’s “sacred duty” of his soldiers to liberate Kursk
Pravda Ukraine
Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has said that the main objective of the war against Ukraine remains the capture of Donetsk Oblast and that the “sacred duty” of Russian soldiers is to liberate part of Kursk Oblast, part of which is currently controlled by the Ukrainian military.
Source: Russian propaganda media, citing Putin’s statements at the 9th Eastern Economic Forum on 5 September
Quote from the Kremlin chief: “The liberation (as Putin refers to the occupation of Ukraine’s territories – ed.) of Donbas is considered a top priority.’
Details: Putin also added that residents of Russia’s border regions are now suffering because of the war he has unleashed and stated that “the sacred duty of the Russian armed forces is to throw the enemy [the Ukrainian Armed Forces – ed.] out” of the territory of Kursk Oblast.
Putin persistently continues to downplay the results of the successful Ukrainian operation in Kursk, trying to convince Russian society that the control of a hundred settlements in Russia by the Ukrainian Armed Forces means nothing.
“Kyiv wanted to make Russia fussy and nervous, to stop the offensive in Donbas, but none of that happened,” the Russian leader said, convincing himself and the Russians alike.
He also claims that the offensive in Kursk has allegedly weakened Ukrainian forces on key frontlines in Ukraine and that now “Russian troops have only accelerated their offensive operations”.
In addition, according to Putin, Russian society has allegedly “consolidated” and “the number of people signing contracts with the Russian Armed Forces has increased”.
Background:
- The operation in Kursk Oblast began on 6 August. On 10 August, on the fifth day of the Ukrainian army’s offensive deep into Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine had brought the war to the Russian territory.
- As of 20 August, Ukrainian forces control more than 1,260 sq km of territory and 93 settlements in Kursk Oblast, Russia.
- On 27 August, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that since the beginning of the operation in Kursk Oblast in Russia, Ukraine has captured 594 Russian soldiers and controls more than 100 settlements or 1,294 square kilometres.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that such actions are aimed at creating a buffer zone to prevent Russian military operations against Ukraine.
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