The 1,000 square kilometers Ukraine says it controls in Russia’s Kursk Oblast amounts to a tiny share of Russia’s massive terrain. Yet, politically, the surprise Ukrainian move poses one of the biggest challenges to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power. The stunning operation, conducted by Ukraine’s Armed Forces, amounts to the first ground invasion by a foreign power of Russian territory since World War II. It also appears to be the most severe blow for the Kremlin since warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin’sinsurrection in June 2023. “It has caused significant damage to Putin’s prestige,” R…
