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Kremlin snuff box, 08/23/24
https://t.me/s/kremlin_secrets

The regions received a bad signal. What they say in Kursk about the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Moscow’s reaction

The breakthrough of the Ukrainian Armed Forces deep into Russian territory with the subsequent seizure of part of the Kursk region became a cold shower for many in Russia. At first there was shock, but now it is perceived as a new normal.

But if you look at the trends, there are unobvious points that create problems for the authorities in the future. Or rather, the government itself has created dangerous preconditions.

Fact 1. The central government (including the security forces) reacted extremely slowly to the invasion of enemy brigades. Officially, there was very little information in the first days, and the Ministry of Defense completely lied that the enemy troops were defeated and retreated back to Ukraine.

Fact 2. Two weeks later, a shocking consensus emerged in society. The occupation of part of the Kursk region turned out to be the norm. They calmly talk about this on TV, Apti Alaudinov states this, and other politicians talk about it.

Fact 3. But in Kursk itself everything is much more complicated. Acting Governor Alexei Smirnov’s relations with the Kremlin have worsened. So much so that they even wanted to remove him from the elections. Local elites complain off the record that the region has essentially been abandoned.

“There are a lot of statements about help, but in fact we were told: come to terms with the fact that Ukraine took part of the territory. The elections there were quietly canceled, as if this were normal. And this is unpleasant. After all, if the troops were transferred quickly, then the enemy would not would have been able to gain a foothold. But a different decision was made,” said one of the local deputies.

Another interlocutor noted that even at meetings with the president, the Kursk region is not the main topic, but one of them.

“We understand that Palestine, Azerbaijan, and the Caucasus are all important. But what about us?” our source asks rhetorically.