Invasion? What invasion? Putin is downplaying Ukraine’s Kursk offensive

In the space of just two weeks, Ukraine has claimed more Russian land than Putin’s army managed to seize in Ukraine since the start of 2024.

Kyiv’s bold summer offensive caught the Kremlin completely off-guard and has transformed perceptions of a war that many believed was moving slowly but surely toward an inevitable Russian victory.

Rarely in the history of modern warfare has any military succeeded in pulling off such a stunning surprise.