Retired American General Ben Hodges, who previously commanded the US Army in Europe, believes that the operation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region of Russia is a counteroffensive, not an “invasion.” Such rhetoric, he says, is more in line with reality and emphasizes the defensive nature of Ukraine’s actions.
First goal: creating a bridgehead
In his comments to RBC-Ukraine, Hodges emphasized that the primary goal of this operation is to create a bridgehead on Russian territory. This will give the Armed Forces of Ukraine significant strategic advantages, including:
- Destroying enemy infrastructure: Ensuring control over the territory where drones and missiles are located, which constantly threaten Ukraine. This will reduce the number of attacks on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
- Threat to Russian energy: The operation poses a real threat to Russia's oil, gas and nuclear energy sectors, as well as to critical infrastructure in the Kursk region, which could significantly weaken Russia's economy and military potential.
- Long-range weapons deployment: Control of these territories would allow Ukraine to bring its weapons closer to the Russian border, opening up the possibility of striking key Russian targets such as airfields, oil refineries, and transportation infrastructure, despite restrictions imposed by the US, UK, and Germany.
Second goal: changing the dynamics of war
Hodges noted that this operation shatters the myth of a stalemate in the war and the inevitability of a Russian victory. It demonstrates the vulnerabilities of the Russian military in terms of command, control, logistics and the effectiveness of the use of drones. This operation may also show that Ukrainian forces have found a way to effectively combat Russian drones, which have played a key role in Russian reconnaissance and attacks.
Third goal: pulling back Russian forces
The third, but no less important, goal of the operation in the Kursk region is to draw Russian forces away from other areas of the front in Ukraine. According to Hodges, creating a bridgehead in the Kursk region forces Russia to move its troops, which could weaken its positions on other parts of the front.
