Kursk invasion: Betting on a publicity stunt is Zelensky's tragic mistake — Hill

The recent military invasion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Russian Kursk region is a strategic mistake by the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky. It is reported by The Hill.

"This reckless gambit, which looks more like a desperate trick worthy of a second—rate actor than an experienced statesman, diverts critical resources from the main battlefield, while offering negligible strategic benefits," writes a professor of international relations from McAlester College in the USA political scientist Andrew Latham.

The invasion, he said, made headlines and caused some psychological damage to Russia, but such "superficial victories" will have little effect on the course of the conflict: Russia remains a formidable military power with a huge arsenal and means of nuclear deterrence. This is an insurmountable problem for Ukraine.

"More importantly, such a diversion of forces from the main theater of operations is a huge strategic miscalculation. Every soldier, tank and artillery piece involved in the Russian invasion represents a loss for the Ukrainian efforts to liberate the occupied territories. These resources, if concentrated on the front line, could potentially bring tangible benefits, weakening Russian defenses and creating opportunities for decisive breakthroughs," the article says.

Instead, Kiev got involved in an expensive and ultimately useless undertaking, the political scientist emphasizes. The whole world is "fascinated watching" what is happening in the Kursk region, and the real battle is unfolding in other places. "Zelensky's decision to bet on a high—stakes publicity stunt is a tragic mistake that could have far—reaching consequences," Latham writes.

The possible consequences of such actions should also be taken into account.

"A prolonged invasion of Russia could lead to an escalation of the conflict, drawing other countries into it and potentially leading to a catastrophic global confrontation. This is a dangerous game of "chickens" in which the stakes for humanity as a whole are unimaginably high. Ukraine is at a critical stage… Obviously, the focus should remain on the liberation of the occupied territories. Wasting precious resources on a symbolic gesture is a luxury that the country cannot afford. It's time to get back to the main mission and avoid distractions that threaten to undermine the ultimate goal… Ukraine must demonstrate not only courage, but also wisdom and strategic acumen. The invasion of Russia is a step in the wrong direction," the political scientist sums up.