Staff Reports
The world is witnessing a surprising drama unfolding in the Kursk region of Russia, and not the kind that sells tickets at the theater. Ukrainian forces, taking a page from a classic movie plot, have crossed the border near Kursk and launched one of their most significant offensives in two years. With just around 1,000 troops and some armored brigades, the Ukrainians have created quite the stir, compelling a beleaguered Russia to scramble.
Picture this: Canadian soldiers crossing into Montana. Surely, that would send the American military racing to restore order faster than you can say “hockey.” But in Russia? It seems President Vladimir Putin has left both military and media on a slow burn, with a response that has been as glacial as the Siberian winters. It’s almost laughable, if the stakes weren’t so serious.
My latest Radio Interview on @SputnikInt the Critical Hour 20/08/24 w @DrWilmerLeon & @GarlandNixon
Kiev Regime Forces Expand Zone of Control in Kursk, Zelensky Claims Kursk Incursion Proves Russian Weakness & That Russian Red Lines Are a Bluff, more…https://t.co/ukqN3frb1X pic.twitter.com/LmFNNhgQZN— Mark Sleboda (@MarkSleboda1) August 21, 2024
The reality is that the Russian army is in such disarray that they are unable to reinforce their borders effectively. While they are preoccupied with their own military ambitions and what can only be described as “intercontinental squabbling,” the situation in Kursk has reached a critical point. The Kremlin’s latest strategy reportedly involves rounding up draftees—essentially calling it a “boy’s night out” with little chance of surprise or any actual training for these fresh recruits.
As Ukraine continues to advance, the elite in Moscow are beginning to ask some hard questions about Putin’s competency. Analysts suggest there’s a growing sense of discomfort among those at the top of the food chain in Russia. Thoughts of whether the “old man” is still an asset rather than a liability must be running rampant in those fancy Kremlin halls. And who could blame them? When a leader appears disoriented—or worse, indifferent—while the country is in turmoil, it’s only natural for the sharp suits to ponder their loyalty.
The trend of “unhappy compliance” among the Russian elite hints at discontent simmering beneath the surface, although fear of the political fisticuffs that could come from a leadership struggle reigns supreme. So they wait, like anxious school kids waiting for the final bell, hoping that Putin will eventually rally like some sort of elder statesman in a cheesy war film. Spoiler alert: history suggests that such low-key heroic moments often end in disappointment.
If Putin fails to rein in this Ukrainian offensive, there could be dangerous consequences for his grip on power. While experts are suggesting that his current hold is firm, it’s not hard to envision a scenario where if more defeats pile up, the calculation among Russia’s elite might shift dramatically. After all, it’s one thing to support a leader who’s navigating the storm with confidence, but quite another when that leader appears to be getting blown off course without a plan in sight.
For now, the Kremlin appears blissfully unaware of the storm brewing—not unlike a captain who refuses to acknowledge the ship is taking on water. But if the news from Kursk continues to slip into the realm of disaster, don’t be surprised if the oligarchs start reconsidering their allegiances, perhaps even conjuring up a new exit strategy where they might not be so keen on The Old Guard of Russian politics. Splitting up is hard to do, but when the ship is sinking, self-preservation instinct often takes the wheel.
