“Z” Russia’s Symbol Of Invasion n Triangle Represents Ukraine Audacity

Russia’s defence ministry insisted on Tuesday that Ukrainian attempts to push deeper had been thwarted but they have been proved wrong before.

Whatever the reality, it appears Kyiv is committed to this military gamble.

The level of activity in the neighbouring Sumy region is something I haven’t seen since the liberations of 2022, when there was a feeling of wind in Ukrainian sails.

It’s undoubtedly a welcome departure from the grinding war of attrition of the last 18 months, but to label it a success or failure would be premature.

While “Z” might be Russia’s symbol of its invasion, a triangle represents Ukraine’s most audacious attempt to repel it.

They are taped or painted on the sides of every supply truck, tank, or personnel carrier that heads towards the Russian border in the Sumy region.

It's an offensive that has seized hundreds of square kilometres of Russian territory and palpably restored momentum and morale to Ukraine’s war effort.

The Russian official in charge of the border region of Kursk has spoken of 28 settlements under Ukrainian control and almost 200,000 Russians have fled their homes.

Tomash has just returned from Ukraine’s cross-border mission along with his comrade “Accord”, who nonchalantly says it was “cool”.

Their drone unit had spent two days paving the way for the cross border incursion.

“We had orders to come here, but we didn’t know what that meant,” Tomash admits as he pauses for a coffee at a petrol station.

“We suppressed the enemy’s means of communication and surveillance in advance to clear the way.”

Exactly how much Russian territory has been seized is uncertain, although there is scepticism over Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi’s claim that 1,000 sq km is under Ukrainian control.

The goal of this offensive is unclear, although President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken of targeting sites from which Russia can launch attacks on Ukraine and bringing “a just peace” closer.