In a recent interview with UkrInform, Ukrainian soldier Ihor Sholtys shared his thoughts on the Kursk operation and its impact on the Ukrainian military. He stated that the operation had a positive effect on the morale of soldiers, not just those directly involved.
The Kursk incursion, which began in early August, caught both Russia and Ukraine’s allies off guard and exposed weaknesses in Russia’s military despite its larger manpower and equipment advantage. As a result, Ukraine was able to secure a portion of Russian territory near Sumy Oblast, pushing Russian artillery out of range and stopping cross-border shelling on nearby communities.
Sholtys noted that the idea of fighting on Russian territory was previously unimaginable from a political and diplomatic standpoint, but it has now become a reality. He also appreciated the information silence maintained within the Defense Forces, as it allowed them to focus on their tasks without being aware of the offensive in Kursk Oblast.
During the operation, the most challenging aspect was maintaining communication between different combat units, as there was a high risk of friendly fire from forces already in Russian territory. Sholtys also acknowledged that casualties were inevitable in any combat operation, and the same was true during the Kursk operation.
He emphasized that any reports claiming that the enemy did not resist were false and underestimated the contribution of the Defense Forces during the operation. Currently, Sholtys and his team are still carrying out tasks on the Kursk front. He had previously served in Pisky, Donetsk Oblast in 2015, where he sustained a severe injury. Despite this, he returned to the front during the all-out war in February 2022.
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