Russia Vows Retaliation After Ukrainian Attacks on Kursk Region, TalksSeem Distant
MOSCOW/KIEV – Tensions have escalatedin the Russia-Ukraine conflict following a series of Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, particularly in the Kursk region. The Kremlin has vowed a strong response,while Ukraine maintains its attacks are a necessary tactic to secure a favorable negotiating position.
The recent escalation began on August 6th with a large-scale Ukrainianattack on Kursk, a region bordering Ukraine. Since then, Russian authorities have accused Ukrainian forces of multiple attacks, including attempts to strike a nuclear power plant and a ferry carrying fuel tankers.
On August 23rd, RussianAmbassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov announced that President Vladimir Putin had made a decision on how to respond to the Ukrainian attacks. I am confident that all those involved in the events in the Kursk region will be punished,Antonov said, adding that the enemies who invaded the Kursk region will be destroyed.
The US Embassy in Kyiv has issued a warning, suggesting that Russia may escalate its actions on August 24th, Ukraine’s Independence Day, with increased missile and drone strikes.
The Ukrainian military has alsoclaimed responsibility for the destruction of a Russian ferry in the port of Kavkaz on August 22nd. The ferry, carrying 30 fuel tankers, caught fire after the attack, resulting in a level-three fire. While 17 crew members have been rescued, one remains missing.
TheUkrainian Navy spokesperson, Dmitry Pletenchuk, described the ferry as a vital link in the Russian logistics chain. However, Russian military expert Ruslan Pukhov downplayed the significance of the attack, stating it would not significantly impact Russian operations or logistics in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The recentattacks come as Ukrainian offensives have slowed, with reports suggesting they have made only marginal gains in areas they already control. Meanwhile, Russia has launched a new offensive towards the logistical hub of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, capturing at least three settlements near the city in recent days. Local Ukrainian authorities have urged residentsof Pokrovsk to evacuate within the next two weeks.
The escalating tensions have further dimmed hopes for peace talks. While Ukrainian media had previously reported that Kyiv was planning to initiate negotiations with Moscow in the fall, the recent attacks have led to a chorus of voices in Russia dismissing the possibility of talks.
Antonov, in his interview, accused the US of playing a role in the Ukrainian attacks on Kursk, stating that Ukraine would not act without American approval. He categorically ruled out the possibility of a buffer zone being established within Russian territory, a proposal Ukraine had previously put forward.
Experts are divided on thepotential impact of the recent events on the overall conflict. Some analysts believe that the Kursk attacks could be a strategic move by Ukraine to gain leverage in future negotiations. Jeffrey Sachs, an American economist, described the situation as entering a final, but extremely dangerous phase.
Others argue that the Kursk attacks arenot strategically significant and that Russia will not divert resources from other key battlefields to respond. They suggest that the Ukrainian attacks are primarily political in nature and that Russia will need to respond forcefully to deter further aggression.
The situation in Kursk highlights the increasingly volatile nature of the conflict, with both sides resorting to increasinglyaggressive tactics. The potential for further escalation remains high, raising concerns about the possibility of a wider conflict.
【来源】https://news.ifeng.com/c/8cIdfLYv97W
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