Retired American General Ben Hodges, who previously commanded the US Army in Europe, believes that the operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Russia's Kursk region is a counteroffensive, not an "invasion". Such rhetoric, according to him, is more in line with reality and emphasizes the defensive nature of Ukraine's actions.
The first goal: to create a bridgehead
In his commentary for 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 significant strategic advantages, in particular:
- Destruction of 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 facilities.
- Threat to Russian energy: The operation poses a real threat to Russia's oil and gas and nuclear energy, as well as to important infrastructure in the Kursk region, which could significantly weaken Russia's economy and military potential.
- Long-range weapons emplacement: Control of these areas would allow Ukraine to bring its weapons closer to the Russian border, opening up the possibility of striking key Russian facilities, such as airfields, oil refineries and transport infrastructure, despite restrictions imposed by the US, UK and Germany .
The second goal: changing the dynamics of war
Hodges noted that this operation destroys the myth of a stalemate in the war and the inevitability of Russia's 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 deal with Russian drones, which have played a key role in Russian intelligence and attacks.
The third goal: withdrawal of Russian forces
The third, but no less important, goal of the operation in the Kursk region is the withdrawal of Russian forces from other directions of the front in Ukraine. According to Hodges, the creation of a bridgehead in the Kursk region forces Russia to move its troops, which can weaken its position in other areas of the front.
