Russian President, Vladimir Putin, compared the recent Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region to a tragic hostage crisis at a school in Beslan. This remark came on Tuesday, marking 20 years since that unfortunate event. The Ukrainian offensive in Kursk has now entered its third week, and while its impact on the overall war is still unclear, positive sentiments prevail in Ukraine, as Kyiv has regained the initiative at the front for the first time in months.
During his visit to a school in Beslan, Putin stated, “Just as we fight against terrorists, we must today combat those who commit crimes in the Kursk region, in Donbas, in New Russia.” Donbas is an eastern Ukrainian region predominantly controlled by Russian forces, while “New Russia” refers to an initiative aimed at establishing a Russian territory in southern and eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops are intensifying their military campaign launched in February 2022.
“Just as we have achieved our objectives in the fight against terrorism, we will also prevail in our fight against neo-Nazis,” Putin reiterated, echoing one of the justifications used for launching the operation—the “denazification” of Ukraine. During this visit to the site of the tragedy, Putin honored the victims of the hostage situation at School No. 1 in Beslan, a small town in the Russian republic of North Ossetia.
On September 1, 2004, a group demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya stormed the school, taking over a thousand individuals hostage. Three days later, after security forces stormed the building, 332 bodies, including 186 children, were found on the scene.
On March 22 of this year, Russia experienced its worst attack since Beslan, when gunmen assaulted the Crocus City Hall concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow, resulting in 145 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. This massacre was claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (ISIS), although Russian authorities attribute it to Ukraine.
For Ukraine, its offensive is “sensational”
Putin’s visit coincided with Russia’s incursion into the Kursk region, which began on August 6. Ukraine launched its operation after months of retreats due to Russian advances. According to Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Servant of the People party and chairman of the parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee, the fact that Ukraine now controls several towns and more than 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory is considered “sensational.”
“This has significant geopolitical consequences and disproves the notion that Russia is a great power,” Merezhko told EFE, highlighting that although Ukraine is officially seen as the weaker side, it has demonstrated that Moscow is “weak and incapable of controlling its territory and protecting its citizens.” He stated that Ukraine’s “tactical successes” in Kursk represent a “strategic defeat” for Putin.
Russian medical services reported on Tuesday that 17 civilians have died and over 140 have been wounded due to the Ukrainian offensive in that region. As per the RCB-Ukraina news portal, Putin has instructed his military to remove Ukrainian forces from Kursk before October 1 but without withdrawing troops from areas where the Russian army is advancing in the Donetsk region.
In response, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday the formation of military units in Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk, named after the respective regions bordering Ukraine, to protect them from enemy attacks. This formation was discussed during a meeting led by Andrei Belousov, the head of the ministry, aimed at defending civilians from drone strikes and other forms of assault.
According to the latest information provided by Volodymyr Zelensky, the Kyiv forces are in control of a total of 93 localities and approximately 1,260 square kilometers of the Kursk territory. This accounts for just over four percent of the area. “We continue to strengthen our positions, stabilize designated areas, and replenish the exchange fund for Ukraine,” the Ukrainian president said in a video message to citizens, referring to the large number of Russian soldiers captured in the Kursk region.
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has claimed that the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland were involved in organizing the Ukrainian attack on Kursk. The SVR states that NATO military advisers are assisting Ukrainian troops in their invasion of Russian territory by providing satellite data regarding Russian force positions in Kursk.
Russia advances on the eastern front
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to make progress in the eastern region of Donetsk, where they have captured the symbolic city of New York. Troops from the Central military group eliminated a significant contingent of Ukrainian forces defending New York, a town of three thousand residents (over a thousand before the war), according to the daily report from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The Russian military command emphasized that New York (known as Novgoroskoye to the Russians) is among the most crucial towns and serves as “an important logistical hub” near the city of Toretsk. Capturing Toretsk is vital for advancing the assault from the south toward Kostiantinivka, located just 12 kilometers away, which leads to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, Ukraine’s major strongholds in Donetsk, annexed by Russia in September 2022.
A 14-year-old boy was killed, and five other children were injured in an attack by Russian forces on Tuesday targeting a children’s area in the Zaporizhia region, according to local authorities. This incident occurred in the town of Malokaterinivka, approximately 30 kilometers from the frontline separating Ukrainian-controlled territories from those occupied by Russia.
Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov condemned the fact that “terrorists” continue their attacks even when they could harm children. UN estimates indicate that more than 600 children have died in Ukraine due to violence since Russia initiated its military invasion in February 2022, while acknowledging that the true figure may be higher due to a lack of information.
Vladimir Putin Compares Ukrainian Incursion in Kursk to Beslan Tragedy
On September 1, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a poignant statement while visiting the site of the Beslan school hostage tragedy, which occurred 20 years ago. His remarks coincided with the ongoing Ukrainian offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, now in its third week. While the back-and-forth continues over the impact of the offensive, many in Ukraine see this development as a turning point in the war.
Current State of the Ukrainian Offensive in Kursk
The incursion into the Kursk region began on August 6, with Ukraine launching a counter-offensive after several months of retreated frontlines. Reports indicate that Ukrainian forces have regained control over various towns, reclaiming over 1,000 square kilometers of territory. This is being hailed as a remarkable achievement amid the ongoing conflict.
- Location: Kursk Region, Russia
- Duration: Third week of the offensive
- Area reclaimed: 1,000 square kilometers
Putin characterized the current situation in Kursk as a form of “hostage-taking,” likening it to previous terrorist acts. “Just as we fight terrorists, today we must fight against those who commit crimes in the Kursk region, in Donbas, in New Russia,” he stated.
Putin’s References to the Past
During his visit, Putin paid tribute to the victims of the 2004 Beslan school tragedy, where over 330 individuals, including 186 children, were killed after a hostage situation ended in violence. This historical parallel was drawn to strengthen national sentiment against Ukraine, framing the conflict not just as a territorial struggle but as a fight against terrorism.
Implications for Ukraine
For Ukraine, the current offensive is seen as largely “sensational.” Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, commented on the geopolitical consequences of Ukraine reclaiming lost territory. His assertions highlight a significant narrative shift in how Ukraine is perceived globally:
- Myth Busting: The victory disproves the narrative of Russian military invincibility.
- Strategic Importance: Every square kilometer taken strengthens Ukraine’s position and weakens Russian claims.
Civilian Impact and Casualties
As of now, Russian medical services have reported civilian casualties standing at 17 dead and over 140 wounded due to the Ukrainian offensive. In a recent statement, Putin has ordered military action to expel Ukrainian forces before October 1 but refused to divert troops from ongoing operations in the Donetsk region. The new military formations—Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk—aim to bolster defenses in the aforementioned areas.
Geographic Overview of Impacted Regions
| Region | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Kursk | Under Incursion | Ukrainian forces reclaimed 1,000 square km |
| Donbas | Russian Control | Heavily fortified by Russian troops |
| Belsgorod | Manned Troops | New military formation announced |
International Dynamics and Accusations
Amid the escalating conflict, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) alleges that Western nations, including the United States, the UK, and Poland, are complicit in orchestrating the Ukrainian attacks through military aid and intelligence support. Citing NATO’s involvement provides insight into the broader international dimensions of the conflict, complicating geopolitical relations.
Russian Advances in Donetsk
As the situation unfolds in Kursk, Russian troops continue to make inroads in the eastern region of Donetsk. The capture of New York (Novgoroskoye) is a significant milestone for Russian forces, further solidifying their hold on critical logistical hubs vital for sustained operations. The importance of this strategic position cannot be overstated as it opens pathways toward major Ukrainian strongholds, including Kostiantinivka and Kramatorsk.
Recent Civilian Casualties in Zaporizhia
The conflict has brought about significant humanitarian crises. Recently, a tragic attack in the Zaporizhia region resulted in a 14-year-old boy’s death and injuries to five children. Such incidents highlight the dire consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire; international organizations have reported that nearly over 600 children have died in Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Looking Ahead: Ongoing Military Operations
As Ukraine maintains momentum in Kursk, the Russian military continues with its offensive strategies in the east. The outcome of these developments remains uncertain, but the geopolitical ramifications are poised to reshape both domestic and international understandings of warfare in this region.
