On August 6, Ukrainian forces made a surprising move by launching their biggest attack on Russian land since the conflict began in February 2022. They targeted the Kursk Region in Russia, catching many off guard. Despite the attack being quickly stopped by Russian troops, Ukraine still holds onto some areas in the region.
Here’s where it gets interesting: according to The Times, Ukrainian soldiers involved in this daring operation had received special training from British military experts just weeks before the attack. The report reveals that in the month leading up to the incursion, these soldiers traveled to England. There, they trained with British forces, focusing on how to carry out raids on tall buildings.
The Ukrainian troops who launched this operation were among the most experienced fighters, having previously been engaged in some of the fiercest battles in the conflict, including the intense struggle for the strategic town of Avdeevka.
One Ukrainian soldier, now recovering in a hospital, shared his surprise at the operation. He had been fighting in Ukraine’s Kharkov Region when he learned that his unit was going to cross into Russia. This unit was already skilled in close-quarters combat, thanks to their previous tough battles.
Western officials have praised Ukraine’s bold move into Kursk, but they deny any prior knowledge or involvement in the operation. However, Mikhail Podoliak, a top advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, hinted that there might have been private discussions with partner forces about the attack.
In response, a Russian official, Nikolay Patrushev, claimed that NATO and Western intelligence services were involved in planning the Kursk incursion. He accused the US and its allies of supporting Ukraine with weapons, training, and intelligence, and suggested that Western countries have been guiding Ukraine’s actions.
Since the start of the Kursk incursion, Russia has reported heavy losses for Ukraine, including nearly 2,860 soldiers and hundreds of military vehicles. Despite these losses, the fact that Ukrainian forces managed to hold some ground shows the impact of their training and preparation.
Captured Ukrainian Soldier: We Were Just Sent to Die
A captured Ukrainian soldier has claimed that Western instructors were crucial in planning the recent invasion into the Kursk region.
The soldier, Sergeant Sergei Bochenko, revealed that he heard from his superiors that the operation was guided by Western experts. “They were in charge of the plan. I even saw them on the battlefield speaking foreign languages,” he said.
Bochenko described the grim scene he encountered upon entering the Kursk region, noting the large number of destroyed armored vehicles and dead soldiers. “When we crossed the border, there were wrecked vehicles everywhere and many bodies. Medical teams were pulling back. It was clear we were losing badly,” he said. “It seemed like our commanders were following orders from Western advisors. We didn’t understand why we were there. It was terrifying.”
He said that after being ordered to cross into Russian territory, he decided to surrender immediately.
Bochenko has a message for fellow Ukrainian soldiers: “Please, stop fighting. This war isn’t worth it. Look at what’s happening to us. We’re just being sent to die without any real plan. Stay away from the battle. I beg you to avoid this pointless conflict.”
