On August 6, 2024, the Ukrainian military began an operation in the Russian Kursk region. All this time, the Ukrainian information space was completely silent. On August 12, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, officially confirmed the operation.
As of August 13, 2024, the Armed Forces of Ukraine officially took control of 74 settlements in the Kursk region. The “Kursk operation” continues.
We will tell you how the world media reacted to these events.
A blow to Putin’s prestige: American media
The New York Times draws attention to the fact that the battles on the territory of Russia are being waged by units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and not paramilitary formations of Russians who fight on the side of Ukraine in the ranks of the Red Army or the “Freedom of Russia” legion.
Journalists of the New York Times emphasised that Russia was not ready for such a development and was unable to protect its own state border. The offensive of Ukrainians in the Kursk region may be an attempt to divert Russian units from the front line and reduce pressure on Ukrainian troops in Donbas. New York Times journalists also asked the Ukrainian government to comment on the fighting in the Kursk region but did not receive a response.
The publication Politico notes that the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region is “a big blow to the prestige of Putin, who tried to protect the Russian public from the consequences of the war he unleashed.” Politico journalists emphasise that this is the first operation on the territory of Russia in which regular Ukrainian troops are directly involved.
Ukraine doesn’t seek occupation: British media
The BBC media notes that the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region, at first glance, seems “counterproductive”, but has a completely pragmatic military goal. The BBC claims that Ukraine does not seek to occupy the territory of the Russian Federation, but instead tries to distract Russian troops from the offensive in Donbas.
The Euronews TV channel quotes high-ranking EU officials as saying that “Ukraine has a ‘legal right’ to strike targets in Russia.” ISW is also quoted as saying that “Ukraine’s Kursk campaign is a key moment in the war that could change its trajectory.” Another article analyses the differences between this attack and previous raids: “There were no warnings, videos, photos or statements from Ukraine on the eve and in the first hours of the operation, which was apparently prepared for a long time.”
From admiration to contempt: French media
The newspaper Le Figaro says that the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region caught the Russian military command by surprise, as Russia threw all its resources into the occupation of Donbas and was not ready to open a new front on its territory. The journalists also note that “this is the first time that another country has officially invaded Russia since 1941.”
The daily newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré gives information from the Russian side, in particular about the amount of destroyed Ukrainian equipment, about “massive bombing” by Ukraine and drone attacks. Journalists also call the operation “primarily a ‘symbolic’ operation”.
Successful operation: German media
Der Spiegel magazine writes that “the Ukrainian operation looks successful” and that “Ukrainian troops caught Russia off guard near Kursk and seized the initiative – at least for now.”
The Die Welt newspaper called the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region “an invasion of the heart of Russia.” The publication assures that the Ukrainian operation on the territory of the Russian Federation will have significant consequences and influence on the dynamics of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Citation of Russia: Chinese media
The state news agency Xinhua reports on the events in the Kursk region, referring exclusively to Russian sources. Chinese media cites representatives of the Russian authorities who claim victims among the Russian civilian population.
People’s Daily media writes that “Putin promises a “worthy response” to Ukraine’s attack on the border regions.” He also quotes Russian officials saying that Ukraine is destabilising the situation, it is difficult, but people are being evacuated.
From ignoring to quoting Putin: African media
Africanews media quotes Putin: “The Kyiv regime went on another large-scale provocation and began indiscriminate shelling of civilian buildings, residential buildings, and ambulances with various types of weapons, including rockets”.
The Nation media does not publish any news about the offensive of Ukrainians in the Kursk region at all.
A rather unexpected reaction: pro-Russian European countries
Serbian media Politika writes that “the reason for the invasion of Kursk is unequivocal Russian aggression.” At the same time, he quotes the Russian side with information about the consequences of the Ukrainian attacks and declares that “NATO is sending the most modern tanks to Ukraine to attack Kursk” and that “an attack on Kursk could be the military end of Ukraine.”
Hungarian media Magyar Nemzet writes that “Ukraine is not interested in the annexation of Russian territories, it only defends itself” and notes that “during the operation of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, hundreds of Russian soldiers surrendered.”
At the same time, Magyar Nemzet journalists write that “Kyiv could prepare for the Kursk operation for months, as evidenced by the brutal conscripts” and “It has become almost a custom in Ukraine for military personnel to kidnap conscripted citizens from the streets.”
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For the most part, the world media is fascinated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which are conducting an operation in Kursk. They call it a “breakthrough” in the war and try to analyse the causes and consequences. However, some media outlets only quote Putin and other Russian officials. Some manage to add a “spoonful of tar” to a barrel of honey.
Anya Ostymchuk
