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The counteroffensive operation by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Russia’s Kursk region and long-range strikes on targets deep within Russian territory have shown that the Kremlin’s so-called “red lines” are nothing but a bluff.
This statement was made by Natalia Kostenko, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to international organizations in Vienna, during a session of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation, as reported by a Ukrinform correspondent.
“The operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kursk region and long-range strikes on military targets deep within Russia have once again demonstrated that the so-called ‘red lines’ of the Kremlin are nothing but a bluff,” Kostenko said.
She also pointed out that Moscow had hoped for a quick victory in Ukraine, but Ukraine withstood the most destructive military attack in Europe’s modern history, and “three years later, we continue to defend our people, our statehood, and our independence.”
“Russian generals expected to capture Kyiv within two weeks. Instead, they got bogged down in a war that became Russia’s greatest strategic defeat in its modern history. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 868,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Ukraine,” she added.
Kostenko emphasized that, “as was the case three years ago, at the most difficult moment in its modern history, Ukraine will not accept Kremlin ultimatums.” “Today, Moscow’s only hope is to negotiate a ceasefire behind Ukraine’s back. However, our position remains unchanged: Ukraine will not recognize any agreements made without its participation,” she stated.
Kostenko further noted that both the Ukrainian leadership and society seek peace, “but will not agree to a temporary ‘frozen conflict’ or peace that is not backed by real security guarantees.”
As Ukrinform reported, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that the Kursk operation of the Defense Forces allowed for the full-scale military actions to be moved to Russian territory and forced the enemy to transfer the most battle-ready military units from other directions. Six months after its start, the operation continues to hold significant importance.
The total losses of Russian forces in the Kursk region have already exceeded 48,000 servicemen, with about 20,000 of them being eliminated.
