Russia Shifting Forces from Ukraine to Halt Kursk Salient

Russia is withdrawing some of its military forces from Ukraine to respond to a Ukrainian offensive into Russian territory, U.S. officials said, the first sign that Kyiv’s incursion is forcing Moscow to rejigger its invasion force.

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The officials said the U.S. is still seeking to determine the significance of Russia’s move and didn’t say how many troops the U.S. assesses Russia is shifting. But the new U.S. assessment bolsters claims by Ukrainian officials who said last week’s surprise invasion of Kursk province had drawn Russian forces away from Ukraine, where Moscow’s advantage in manpower and equipment is allowing them to grind forward in several places.

Ukraine, meanwhile, sent tanks and other armored vehicles to reinforce troops that have stunned the Kremlin by seizing a chunk of Russian territory.

Ed Morrissey

That's clearly what Zelensky intended from his offensive on Russian territory, and perhaps even he is surprised to see as much success from it. The question will be whether he has enough reserve forces to take advantage of Russia's weakened position in the Donbas now, or whether it just freezes the lines there until Russia can demolish the salient. The Battle of the Bulge comes to mind here, if Zelensky can't summon enough reserves. 

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