German General on Kursk operation: Justified, but didn't draw significant Russian forces away
Photo: Christian Freuding (Getty Images)
The operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region has not drawn significant Russian forces away from Donbas. However, it is justified, states Christian Freuding, head of the special staff for Ukraine at the German Ministry of Defense.
According to him, the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region had several reasons and was not just an attempt to force Russia to withdraw troops from eastern Ukraine.
“You just mentioned one reason: it was to relieve pressure in Donbas. But there were other reasons as well, such as the desire to create an unexpectedness and activate this positional war, which seemed to have reached a deadlock. This has definitely succeeded,” he said.
Freuding believes that this operation had a significant positive psychological impact on both Ukrainians and Ukraine's Western partners.
“The attack is also a signal to Russia. Thousands of Russian prisoners of war have been held, including many conscripts. Thus, Ukraine has debunked the lies of Putin's propaganda about the special operation,” Freuding stated.
Despite this, he agrees that the Kursk operation did not manage to draw Russian forces from eastern Ukraine to the extent initially anticipated. Everything indicates that no significant Russian combat units have been redeployed from Donbas toward Kursk.
At the same time, the general did not answer the question of whether the Kursk operation ultimately has more advantages than disadvantages.
“Historians should judge that. In any case, the Ukrainians were well aware of the risks. And in my opinion, it was justified,” he emphasized.
Kursk operation
The operation of the Ukrainian forces in the border areas of Russia's Kursk region has been ongoing for nearly two months, starting on August 6. A military commandant's office has been established in the Kursk region, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine control over 100 settlements.
Earlier, Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, stated that the Russian forces failed to execute the Kremlin's plan to regain control of the region by October, while Ukrainian forces are demonstrating successes in this direction.
Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed Russian commanders in mid-August to fully regain control of the entire territory of the Kursk region. However, their counteroffensive ended in failure.
