Russian President Vladimir Putin sidestepped a direct timeline on Thursday for expelling Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region, despite mounting pressure from residents in the border area plagued by recent attacks. Speaking at a news conference, Putin acknowledged the ongoing battles and emphasized the unpredictability of setting deadlines, highlighting operational security and the complexities of the conflict.
No Promises, Just Battles
Pressed for clarity by a Kursk resident, Putin offered a guarded response: “I cannot and do not even want to name a specific date when they will be knocked out. There is a battle going on now, serious battles. We will definitely knock them out.” He further explained that divulging a deadline would give Ukrainian forces a strategic advantage, stating, “The enemy will learn about this date and try to disrupt the plans.”
The Russian leader also suggested that imposing deadlines could lead to hasty, high-risk operations: “If I give a specific date, soldiers will rush to meet it at all costs, without considering the losses.”
Broken Promises and Shifting Priorities
This isn’t the first time Putin has refrained from sticking to a timeline. After a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk in August, he initially set an October 1 deadline for ousting the troops. That deadline passed without success, raising questions about Russia’s priorities and capabilities in the region.
The lack of progress comes as Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced that all 2024 military objectives had been met—a statement widely interpreted as signaling that expelling Ukrainian forces from Kursk is no longer a pressing issue for Moscow.
A Strained Military Machine
The challenges in Kursk underscore the broader struggles facing Russia’s military. To address troop shortages, Putin announced plans to expand the country’s armed forces and security personnel to 1.5 million. This significant increase aims to replenish ranks as the war in Ukraine stretches into its second year with no signs of resolution.
Military analysts suggest that Russia’s focus on other fronts, logistical issues, and Ukraine’s resilient counteroffensive efforts have complicated operations in border regions like Kursk. Putin’s hesitancy to provide a concrete timeline suggests Moscow is grappling with how to balance its ambitions with its on-ground realities.
The Kursk Question
The situation in Kursk, while not a focal point of the broader war, has become a symbolic battleground. Ukrainian incursions into the region challenge Russia’s control over its own borders, testing Putin’s narrative of strength and sovereignty. The inability to secure the area reflects not just logistical hurdles but a strategic dilemma for Moscow: prioritizing resources between border skirmishes and Ukraine’s active counteroffensive in occupied territories.
A War Without Timelines
Putin’s refusal to commit to a timeline for Kursk reflects the unpredictable and grinding nature of the conflict, where victories are neither swift nor guaranteed. For residents near the border, however, the lack of a definitive plan offers little reassurance. As battles continue to rage and promises remain unmet, Kursk has become a microcosm of the larger uncertainties surrounding Russia’s war in Ukraine.