Scottyboi
Well-Known Member
With Ukrainian forces having entered the Kursk region of russia, in what is the first major land based counterattack on russian territory by Ukraine using regular forces during the war against Ukraine, many have been speculating about the objectives of the attack.
Below is a summary of ten different suggestions that have been put forward. They are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The Ukrainian military leadership may have many objectives. The different suggestions have varying degrees of difficulty.
1. A pre-emptive strike to avoid russia launching an attack against the Sumy region of Ukraine, similar to the situation in the Kharkiv region. This would take the battle to the enemy, rather than a fight on Ukrainian soil.
2. Diverting russian reserves from the Kharkiv region. The Kursk region is defended by the Sever group of troops, which is actually conducting the operation in Vovchansk. The diversion of reserves will allow Ukraine to more easily drive the Russians out of the occupied settlements in the Kharkiv region.
3. Diverting russian troops to blunt the russian attack in the Pokrovsk direction in the Dontesk oblast, where Ukraine is under pressure.
4. Taking the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. An attempt to capture the Kursk NPP and perhaps exchange it for the Zaporizhzhya NPP. Returning Zaporizhzhya NPP to the Ukrainin grid would solve the energy problem that Ukraine will face in the winter after the russians have destroyed large parts of the Ukrainian power generation capabilities.
5. Causing fear and panic in russia, putting political pressure on Putin and the russian military leadership. The attack can however cause russia to formally declare war and allowing full russian mobilisation to be easily justified by Putin.
6. Taking and holding russian territory for bargaining and leverage in a scenario where Ukraine is forced to negotiate, perhaps following an election win by Trump in the United States.
7. Demonstrating Ukrainian strength in the face of voices of doubts in the west, who claim that the conflict is at a stalemate.
8. Taking the battle to the enemy, seizing initiative and disrupting russias military plans at a time when attention is focused on the Middle East.
9. Exposing russian aviation to Ukrainian air defences.
10. Destroying the Urengoi-Pomari-Uzhhorod main gas pipeline in Sudzha
Below is a summary of ten different suggestions that have been put forward. They are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The Ukrainian military leadership may have many objectives. The different suggestions have varying degrees of difficulty.
1. A pre-emptive strike to avoid russia launching an attack against the Sumy region of Ukraine, similar to the situation in the Kharkiv region. This would take the battle to the enemy, rather than a fight on Ukrainian soil.
2. Diverting russian reserves from the Kharkiv region. The Kursk region is defended by the Sever group of troops, which is actually conducting the operation in Vovchansk. The diversion of reserves will allow Ukraine to more easily drive the Russians out of the occupied settlements in the Kharkiv region.
3. Diverting russian troops to blunt the russian attack in the Pokrovsk direction in the Dontesk oblast, where Ukraine is under pressure.
4. Taking the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. An attempt to capture the Kursk NPP and perhaps exchange it for the Zaporizhzhya NPP. Returning Zaporizhzhya NPP to the Ukrainin grid would solve the energy problem that Ukraine will face in the winter after the russians have destroyed large parts of the Ukrainian power generation capabilities.
5. Causing fear and panic in russia, putting political pressure on Putin and the russian military leadership. The attack can however cause russia to formally declare war and allowing full russian mobilisation to be easily justified by Putin.
6. Taking and holding russian territory for bargaining and leverage in a scenario where Ukraine is forced to negotiate, perhaps following an election win by Trump in the United States.
7. Demonstrating Ukrainian strength in the face of voices of doubts in the west, who claim that the conflict is at a stalemate.
8. Taking the battle to the enemy, seizing initiative and disrupting russias military plans at a time when attention is focused on the Middle East.
9. Exposing russian aviation to Ukrainian air defences.
10. Destroying the Urengoi-Pomari-Uzhhorod main gas pipeline in Sudzha
