Ukraine launched Kursk operation without US knowledge, NYT reports 'blackmail' claim
Photo: The Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in the Kursk region began without the knowledge of the US (Getty Images)
Ukraine did not inform the US about its offensive operation in the Kursk region. The US called this "blackmail," The New York Times informs.
The publication published an investigation into the role of Americans in Ukrainian operations against Russia. It notes that as early as March 2024, the US discovered that Ukrainian intelligence was planning a ground operation in the southwest of Russia.
At that time, a CIA representative in Kyiv warned the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, that if Ukrainian forces crossed into Russian territory, they would no longer be able to use American weapons and intelligence data.
At the beginning of August, Ukrainians hinted that something was happening in the north. The operation in the Kursk region began during the rotation of American leadership. On August 9, General Antonio Aguto completed his mission in Wiesbaden, Germany, and the next day, the CIA representative in Kyiv stepped down.
It was then that the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, made his move and sent troops into the Kursk region. As noted by The New York Times, Ukraine used weapons provided by the US to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Kharkiv, not for an offensive on Russian territory.
Journalists point out that this led to a breach of trust from the US, as Ukraine allegedly violated the agreements.
"It wasn’t almost blackmail, it was blackmail," said a senior Pentagon official.
However, despite this, the US continued to provide assistance to Ukraine, including HIMARS and intelligence. According to one of the sources, this could have "led to a disaster" for the Ukrainian forces.
Kursk operation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Recall that the Ukrainian Defense Forces launched the operation in the Kursk region in early August 2024. As explained by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this was a preventive measure, as Russia was preparing for offensive actions in northern Ukraine.
The Russians are trying to push the Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region. Moscow has even deployed North Korean troops. The situation escalated in March.
In recent weeks, the activities of Russian forces near the border in Sumy region have also intensified. For more details on what is happening at the front, read the full article on RBC-Ukraine.
