Heavy losses or encirclement: Prolonged presence inside Russia increases risks for the Ukrainian army – BBC

The longer Ukrainian troops remain inside Russia, the higher the risks become.

This opinion was expressed by Frank Gardner, a BBC security correspondent.

According to Gardner, the greatest risk is that Russia could deploy sufficient forces to surround and cut off Ukrainian troops before they have a chance to retreat. Significant losses or a mass capture of prisoners would nullify all recent successes in boosting the morale of the Ukrainian people.

A high-ranking British military source, who requested anonymity, was impressed by Ukraine’s use of “combined arms” tactics, meaning the incursion into Russia involved not only light infantry but also engineering, artillery, and other support units.

However, he warned that Moscow might be so enraged by this incursion into its territory that it could respond with double the force against Ukraine’s civilian population and infrastructure.

Earlier, the analytical group Conflict Intelligence Team speculated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces could hold a foothold in the Kursk region for “several weeks or more,” depending on the level of losses the Ukrainian command is willing to accept and the strength of the Russian forces committed to the battle.