In a bold and unexpected move, Ukraine has launched a surprise cross-border military attack on Russia's Kursk region, resulting in the capture of approximately 150 Russian soldiers per day. Kyiv military officials have described this operation as just the initial phase in a series of planned offensives against Moscow.

Oleksii Drozdenko, the head of the military administration in the northwest city of Sumy, revealed that Ukrainian forces have successfully seized hundreds of Moscow troops, while suffering minimal casualties. He claimed that the Kremlin forces have shown little resistance and expressed reluctance to engage in combat.

Photographs have emerged showing Ukrainian trucks transporting captured Russian soldiers, who appeared to be caught off guard by Ukraine's daring incursion into Russian territory on August 6. The incursion has thus far been deemed a major success, with Sumy hospitals reporting low numbers of casualties and injuries.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine aims to enhance its "exchange fund" during the operation to facilitate prisoner of war deals with Russia. Drozdenko further disclosed that the ongoing offensive in Kursk is only the initial phase, hinting at several planned stages yet to come.

Experts have attributed Ukraine's success in the attack on Kursk to Russia's lack of preparedness and unmanned border in the region. While Russia focused on its gradual advancements in Donbas and Donetsk, Ukraine seized the opportunity to launch its operation. Even local officials in Sumy were caught off guard, as they claim they had no prior warning of soldiers passing through their town en route to Kursk.

In a retaliatory move, Russian cruise missiles and bombs targeted Sumy, causing a fire and leaving two soldiers injured. Additionally, the Kremlin has accused Ukrainian forces of using Western-made rockets to destroy a strategically significant bridge over the Seim River in Kursk. Allegations of a second bridge attack have also been made by Russian regional governor, Alexei Smirnov. However, independent verification of these claims is yet to be obtained.

With Ukraine now in control of approximately 400 square miles of land in Kursk, President Zelensky is seeking the lifting of restrictions placed on weapons supplied by Ukraine's allies, including the United States. These restrictions hinder Ukraine's ability to effectively counter Russian forces. President Zelensky emphasized the necessity of support from its partners, while commending the bravery and resilience of Ukrainian soldiers.

As Ukraine continues its offensive, the world watches closely, awaiting the unfolding of the subsequent stages of this operation and the potential geopolitical ramifications it may entail.