What was the goal of the Kursk operation and was it achieved? Syrsky’s answer

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky stated that the main goal of the Kursk operation — the distraction of Russian troops and equipment — had been achieved.

This is stated in the article of The Washington Post.

Syrsky emphasized that without the Kursk operation, the Russian army would have concentrated its forces to attack Ukrainian territory.

“At first we planned more raids, but then I abandoned this idea because I realized that we needed this territory. We have needed it for a long time,” the Commander-in-Chief said.

The higher military command prepared the operation in extreme secrecy, in particular, Ukraine did not even notify key allies, such as the United States.

The decision was prompted by a failed counteroffensive in 2023, when Kyiv, in need of help, publicly asked the United States for weapons. Russia, in turn, watched and prepared to strike.

“Victory loves silence. They are born in silence and prepare in silence. When an information campaign is created or conducted, and everyone is shouting: “Give me this, give me that,” then, of course, the enemy also knows and is also preparing,” explained Syrsky.

In 2024, the Kursk operation became the first case since World War II of the capture of Russian territory by the troops of another country.

In order to knock out Ukrainian units from Kurshchyna, the Russians had to transfer soldiers from other directions, as well as involve North Korean military personnel.

It is known that as of August 6, 2025, Ukrainian forces continue to hold positions in the Glushkov district of the Kursk region , restraining part of the Russian offensive group and deterring further attacks.

It is worth adding that as of the end of April, since the beginning of the Kursk operation, the Russian army has lost more than 60 thousand soldiers in the operational zone of the Kursk group of forces.

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