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Here Are The Goals of Ukraine's Surprise Incursion Into Russia

Here Are The Goals of Ukraine's Surprise Incursion Into Russia

It's more than just a morale boost: it could determine the outcome of the war

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Luke Johnson
Aug 19, 2024
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Here Are The Goals of Ukraine's Surprise Incursion Into Russia
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking in Manila, Philippines on June 3. (Public Domain)

As Ukraine's incursion into Russia enters its third week, Kyiv's ultimate goals have been vague. Is it to divert Russia's forces from eastern Ukraine? To build morale after Ukraine's failed counteroffensive of 2023? To gain leverage in an eventual negotiation? It has done the first and second, and the third remains a possibility. In his nightly address on August 18, Ukrainian President Voldoymyr Zelensky outlined the political and military objectives of the incursion, which so far has advanced through about 1100 square kilometers of Russian territory.

Zelensky said Ukraine "will continue to expand the circle of those who support a just end to this war. It's essential that Ukraine enters this fall even stronger than before." He added that the "coming weeks" will be crucial for Ukraine's partners in Europe, the U.S. and the Global South. This may sound like boilerplate, but here's why it isn't. 

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