Ukraine Strikes Russian Military Headquarters in Kursk
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has reportedly launched an attack on the Russian military's counter-offensive headquarters located in Kursk, utilizing British Storm Shadow cruise missiles for the first time. This operation, which took place near the settlement of Marino—approximately 40 kilometers from the Ukrainian border—has been confirmed by various media outlets, including Bloomberg and The Times, citing Russian military bloggers and an unnamed Western government source. The attack comes shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden authorized the use of American long-range ATACMS missiles against Russian targets, prompting Russia to threaten nuclear retaliation.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that Ukraine is committed to defending its territory but refrained from providing specific details about the operation. The British government had previously supplied Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine with restrictions on their use against Russian territory, but this permission appears to have been lifted in light of the recent military developments, including the deployment of North Korean soldiers to support Russia.
Heavy Casualties and Economic Toll on Both Sides
As the conflict enters its 1,000th day, reports indicate that both Russia and Ukraine have suffered substantial losses. On the Russian side, estimates suggest that approximately 700,000 soldiers have been killed, wounded, missing, or captured since the war began in February 2022. Daily casualties have surged to between 1,500 and 2,000, a stark increase from earlier in the conflict. Economically, Russia has expended around $320 billion on the war, with inflation exceeding 9%, leading to a significant rise in interest rates.
In Ukraine, the human cost has also been severe, with the UN reporting over 11,700 civilian deaths and more than 24,600 injuries since the onset of the conflict. The Ukrainian military has indicated that around 31,000 soldiers have died, although the actual number of casualties may be higher. The war has devastated Ukraine's economy, which contracted by a third in 2022, and the total cost of reconstruction is estimated at $486 billion, highlighting the extensive damage to infrastructure and essential services.
As winter approaches, both nations are ramping up military operations, with Russia launching drone and missile attacks targeting Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, while Ukraine continues to assert its capabilities to strike back effectively.
