Kyiv, September 03- In a bold and unexpected move, Ukrainian forces launched an attack inside Russian territory, catching the world off guard. President Volodymyr Zelensky seemed buoyed by the initial success, but the euphoria has been short-lived. As Ukrainian troops push into Russia, Russian forces have continued their relentless advance into the Donbass region of Ukraine, capturing new territories daily. Many observers are describing this as a calculated military strategy by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Military analysts note that while Ukrainian forces are making concerted efforts to gain ground in Russia, their progress has been slow and fraught with difficulties. In contrast, the Russian military has been steadily advancing towards the Donbass region, a strategically significant area coveted by both sides. According to Ukrainian sources, Russian troops have already secured over 1,000 kilometers of the Kursk region.

Western nations initially praised Ukraine's audacious move to carry out an incursion into Russian territory, a decision reportedly influenced by advice from the United States and NATO. However, just weeks into the operation, there is growing criticism regarding its effectiveness and strategic value. The attack on Kursk, while a bold statement, appears to be diverting Ukrainian resources away from more critical fronts.

Despite President Zelensky's efforts to boost morale by highlighting Ukraine's territorial gains in Russia, the situation on the ground remains challenging. Russian forces, after months of a stalemate, have made significant progress in the Donbass region, capturing the village of Kirovo and closing in on Pokrovsk, a vital logistics and arms supply hub for the Ukrainian military. The capture of Pokrovsk, known as the "Road of Life" due to its importance in supplying military equipment via rail to the Donetsk region, would be a severe blow to Ukrainian resistance in the east. If Pokrovsk falls, experts suggest that the entire Donetsk region could soon come under Russian control.

Critics in Kyiv are now questioning the wisdom of the Kursk operation, suggesting that it may have been a tactical misstep. Analysts believe that the decision to focus Ukrainian military efforts on Kursk, rather than reinforcing key defensive positions in Donbass, could play into Putin's hands. The city of Pokrovsk, heavily fortified by Ukraine with multiple layers of defense, has been significantly weakened as major Ukrainian units were redirected to the Kursk front. Despite the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, Moscow has strategically refrained from redeploying a large number of frontline troops away from Donbass.

As the situation unfolds, it seems increasingly likely that Pokrovsk, crucial for the supply of military equipment to Donetsk, could soon fall under Russian control, a development that would further bolster Russia's position in the ongoing conflict. Observers suggest that President Putin's strategic acumen is becoming more evident as the war progresses.

However, President Zelensky remains defiant, dismissing the setbacks as part of a broader strategy to eventually defeat Moscow. He argues that the capture of hundreds of villages in Kursk is just one element of Ukraine's grand plan to turn the tide against Russia. Nonetheless, reports from international media indicate that Ukraine's advance in Kursk has slowed significantly in recent weeks, raising questions about the long-term viability of Kyiv's current strategy.