"Anti-terrorist operation in Eastern Ukraine"
"Anti-terrorist operation in Eastern Ukraine" Credit: Ministry of Defense Ukraine / CC-BY SA 2.0

Overview:

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, marked by escalating violence, failed diplomatic efforts, and civilian hardship, is deeply rooted in historical and geopolitical rivalries, with little hope for peace as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict, now in its third year, shows no signs of abating. Despite various mediation efforts by countries like Hungary, Brazil, China, and India, both sides remain entrenched in their positions. Meanwhile, the human toll is growing, with attacks spilling into Russian territory, including the Kursk region. This article examines the latest developments, the impact on civilians, and includes insights from Abhay Singh, a deputy in Kursk’s city government. Singh offers a unique perspective, emphasizing the deeper geopolitical motives behind the conflict and comparing it to colonial tactics used by Western powers.

Diplomatic Failures and Battlefield Escalation

The Russia-Ukraine war has entered its third year with an escalation in violence, and no viable path to peace in sight. Attempts at mediation by countries such as Hungary, Brazil, and China have failed.

The most recent mediation efforts come from India, as it holds a neutral but not passive position towards this conflict. Several meetings have already taken place, many of which were closed doors. India has been careful in sharing too many details about these meetings with the media. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with Russian President Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy in the past couple of months. Likely, Zelenskyy will also visit India before the US presidential elections take place in November this year. While these developments are visible, no breakthrough has emerged so far and the realities on the battlefield show intensifications.

The Ukrainian military’s actions, bolstered by intelligence and equipment from NATO, have become increasingly aggressive, targeting not just contested regions, but also striking deep into Russian territory. The most notable of these attacks occurred in Kursk, marking a new chapter in the war that extends beyond the Ukrainian border.

The Attack on Kursk: A New Phase in the Conflict

The Ukrainian attack on Kursk on August 6, 2024 surprised many, both within Russia and internationally. Kursk was suddenly thrust into the spotlight as Ukrainian forces launched an incursion into the region. The attack involved at least 1,000 Ukrainian troops, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, according to Russian reports.


Kursk borders on the Bryansk,  Oryol, Lipetsk, Voronezh, and Belgorod regions, as well as Ukraine. A historically significant place, Kursk is famous as the Soviet Red Army defeated the Nazi forces there in the battle of 1943. The Kursk battle is known as the largest tank battle in World War II. Kursk is a region in the Western part of Russia. Located at about 450 km south of Moscow, Kursk is one of the oldest cities in Russia. Kursk has machine building, food processing, and synthetic fiber and electronic equipment manufacturing industries. The region has prospected deposits of iron ore, phosphorites, peat, and building materials: chalk, fusible and refractory clays and loams, quartz sands. It is also rich in mineral waters. Agriculture products include grain and forage crops, sugar beets and potatoes, and the livestock includes dairy farming and beef cattle breeding. The Kursk Region as well as the city of Kursk has many monuments commemorating the Battle of Kursk and other battles of the World War-II (referred to as the Great Patriotic War in Russia).

Russia quickly responded by launching what it termed a “counter-terrorist operation” in Kursk and surrounding regions like Belgorod and Bryansk on August 10. The goals of the Ukrainian offensive were clear: to disrupt Russian military infrastructure, capture Russian troops, and weaken supply lines. Despite being caught off-guard, Russia managed to repel the incursion, but the attack underscored the vulnerability of Russian border regions and the escalating nature of the conflict.

President Putin’s response to the attack was direct, warning that “Ukraine will receive a worthy response.” True to this statement, Russia has intensified its military operations on all fronts, further escalating the violence.

Life in Kursk: Living Under the Shadow of War

While the military confrontation continues, civilians in Kursk are living on guard. Sirens warning of air raids are now part of daily life, and concrete shelters have been installed across the city to provide protection from drone attacks. Public transport is no longer halted during air raid warnings, a decision made to prevent large crowds from forming at bus stops, which could become easy targets.

An anonymous source from Kursk shared their experience, highlighting the adjustments residents have made:

“Sirens are often heard in the city to warn of aerial threats. They are very loud. At first, people were very frightened by each signal, then they got used to it. Until recently, residents received SMS alerts about the danger. Now these SMS-alerts are switched off, as they often came late at night. And people could not check the warnings because they were asleep.

Concrete shelters are being installed in the city. You can hide in them from drones. In neighbouring Belgorod, such shelters were installed a year and a half ago. Residents of Kursk asked for the same in their city.”

The daily grind continues for the people of Kursk. “It’s the same thing. Life is not disrupted. It just goes on,” the anonymous source explains, “people are courageous and more people are joining the army”.

Displaced persons from nearby towns have also started arriving in the city, seeking refuge and humanitarian assistance. Life goes on, but under the persistent strain of war.

Abhay Singh: The Conflict in a Historical Context

To gain further insight into the situation, I spoke with Abhay Singh, a deputy at the Kursk City Assembly and a member of Putin’s United Russia party. Singh, who is originally from Bihar, India, has lived in Russia for several years and has been elected twice to represent the Kursk region. His perspective on the conflict is deeply informed by both his political role and his understanding of historical power dynamics.

Abbhay Singh from the Bihar state of India is a deputy at the Kursk City Assembly. Photo: Abbhay Singh/Facebook

Singh situates the current Russia-Ukraine war within a broader geopolitical struggle, describing it as part of an ongoing Western effort to weaken Russia. According to Singh:

This conflict did not start in 2022—it goes back at least 70 years. Western countries do not wish to see Russia becoming as strong as the Soviet Union. That is why they are spending so much money and providing weapons to Ukraine. Anti-Russian sentiments have been spread in Ukraine for over 20 years.

Singh argues that Western powers are employing modern versions of colonial tactics, similar to those used in the past to divide nations and control their futures. He draws parallels to the partition of India, suggesting that the same divide-and-rule strategy is being used against Russia today:

If you look at the partition of India, you can see how colonial powers divided nations and how it still affects us today. The same thing is happening here. The West is using color revolutions to change governments, like they did in Ukraine, Libya, and other places.

These neo-colonizers have a simple motive: to divide countries and increase the animosity between them. Don’t we remember the events leading to the partition of India? If you would check how it took place and what kind of repercussions it still has on the continent, you would understand it better.

Singh’s perspective offers a stark contrast to the narrative often seen in Western media, framing the conflict as a defensive struggle against neo-colonial forces intent on weakening Russia and its influence in the region. Although Singh advocates for peace, he remains firmly aligned with Russia’s official stance, emphasizing that the country must defend itself from external interference.

Conclusion: A Long Road to Peace

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has evolved into a multi-dimensional crisis, with deep historical roots and far-reaching geopolitical consequences. Ukraine’s ongoing military actions, bolstered by Western support, have escalated the violence, while Russia remains resolute in its belief that this war is about defending its sovereignty against Western aggression.

Voices like Abhay Singh provide a different perspective, one that highlights the long-standing geopolitical rivalries driving this conflict. Singh sees the war not as an isolated event, but as part of a broader Western strategy to contain and weaken Russia—paralleling the colonial tactics used in the 20th century.

Amidst this geopolitical struggle, the lives of ordinary civilians continue to be upended, particularly in regions like Kursk. While international mediation efforts, including those led by India, offer glimmers of hope, the reality on the ground remains bleak. As long as both sides remain unwilling to compromise, peace will remain elusive, and the human suffering will continue. Until then, hope is all that remains.

While coming from the land of Buddha, leaders like Singh want to see peace in the region, until both parties agree, it can only be called Hope. And we know that hope begets hope.

Ashish Singh has a bachelor's degree in journalism, a master's degree in social entrepreneurship and a master's degree in social welfare and health policy. He is completing his PhD in Political Science...

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