Ukraine's recent military operation in the Kursk region has significantly impacted the ongoing conflict with Russia. The incursion into Russian territory has left the Kremlin scrambling to respond, challenging President Vladimir Putin's narrative and testing the strength of his social contract with the Russian people. The operation, which began with drone attacks on infrastructure such as power grids and ammunition depots, has generated theater-wide operational and strategic pressures on Russian forces. While Ukraine has made advances near Kursk, it is also struggling to balance territorial gains in this region with losses in the Donbass. Analysts suggest that Ukraine's actions have transformed the conflict, humiliating Putin and marking Russia's first invasion by enemy forces since the Second World War. However, they caution against overextending its military efforts.
