Russia: Massive Ukrainian Attacks Dash Peace Prospects
Italy calls for an immediate ceasefire
Contrary to initial expectations, the Ukrainian forces that invaded Russian territory in the southwestern Kursk region on August 6 do not seem to want to retreat at all: the Ukrainians are pulling up reinforcements, digging trenches, and building fortifications.
Ukrainian officials have asked the USA for permission to use long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory from populated areas occupied in the Kursk region.
Russia has also been forced to slow down its offensive to move some military groups into the area occupied by Kiev’s forces. According to some unconfirmed rumors, the Kremlin sent back to Russia from Africa about 100 mercenaries of the PMC Wagner.
The fiercest fighting is taking place in the vicinity of the Russian city of Sudzha, which is the center of natural gas exports that reach European countries through Ukraine. Due to fears that supplies from Russia could be interrupted or completely blocked, gas prices on international markets have risen sharply.
In parallel with the invasion of Russian territory, Ukrainian military forces have launched several massive attacks using drones packed with explosives against Crimea and the Russian regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, Orel, and Lipetsk, where an attack by a swarm of drones caused a fire at a military airport and destroyed critical energy infrastructure.
Historically, Lipetsk has been an important metallurgical region, still employing 25,000 workers, with specialized schools and universities. But it was Italian business that became the turning point for growth, diversification, economic innovation, and the creation of the third most important special economic zone in Russia.
For Italy, the transfer of the conflict to Russian territory distances the prospects for a ceasefire. As Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a TV interview, “my goal is to prevent the conflict from spilling over into Russian territory” and thus “exacerbating the situation.” According to Crosetto, at this point the conflict will escalate and push back the goal of a ceasefire: “If we want peace, we must not encourage other prospects of war,” the Italian minister said.
