Flash Points: Is Ukraine’s Kursk offensive a turning point?

Inside the incursion and what it means for Russia’s war. AUGUST 18, 2024  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](  |  [SUBSCRIBE](     Sponsored by [BCG]( [A Ukrainian military vehicle drives past the remains of another in the Sumy region, Ukraine, amid the Ukrainian incursion into neighboring Kursk, Russia, on Aug. 13.]( A Ukrainian military vehicle drives past the remains of another in the Sumy region, Ukraine, amid the Ukrainian incursion into neighboring Kursk, Russia, on Aug. 13. Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images On Aug. 6, Ukraine launched a bold offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first time that foreign troops have occupied Russian territory since World War II. The incursion, which caught both Moscow and Washington off guard, has already changed the battlefield: Ukrainian forces now claim hundreds of square miles of Russian territory. “But wars are political as well as military, and it’s in the political arena where Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk has fundamentally changed the course of the conflict,” [writes]( Carl Bildt, co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations and former prime minister of Sweden. This edition of Flash Points provides an insider’s look into the Kursk offensive and considers what it could mean for the direction of the war, the region, and the terms of a future peace.—Chloe Hadavas   [1]( [Ukraine’s Kursk Offensive Is a Turning Point in the War]( The biggest impact is the destruction of Vladimir Putin’s narrative for victory. By Carl Bildt   [2]( [What Is Ukraine’s Goal in Kursk?]( Ukraine is making gains on Russian soil. But is Kyiv losing troops it can’t replace? By Amy Mackinnon, Jack Detsch   [3]( [Ukraine’s Invasion of Russia Could Bring a Quicker End to the War]( One aim of the surprise breakthrough may be for Kyiv to gain leverage in negotiations. By Andreas Umland   [4]( [The Geopolitical Opportunity of Ukraine’s Kursk Offensive]( The incursion shows Washington the way to a smarter pivot to Asia. By A. Wess Mitchell   [5]( [Whose Terms Will Set a Peace Deal in Ukraine?]( The war is unlikely to end in total victory for either Moscow or Kyiv. By Eugene Chausovsky Sponsored [Generative AI Will Transform how the Public Sector Operates]( By 2033, generative AI holds the potential to drive productivity improvements across the public sector worth $1.75 trillion per year globally across all levels of government. Learn more about how it could improve service delivery, operational efficiency, and citizen engagement in the new article from BCG. [Read here.](   [Discount Expires Soon]( Our $20 quarterly intro offer expires next week! Don't miss your chance to save on your first 3 months of FP access. Broaden your perspective with hard-hitting analysis, on-demand interviews with experts, quarterly magazines, and more—at a discount. [SAVE $40](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's Flash Points newsletter. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Interested in partnering with FP on events, podcasts, or research? [Explore FP Solutions](. [Foreign Policy]( is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2024 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.