Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP
- Videos appear to show Russian soldiers surrendering to Ukrainian troops taking Russian territory.
- An expert said the footage suggests the soldiers are not combat-experienced.
- Ukraine is advancing in Russia’s Kursk region.
Videos that appear to show Russian forces surrendering to that the Ukrainian invasion of Kursk had been successful “mainly due to the fact that the Russian military command and political leadership were completely unprepared for this kind of event.”
Some of the troops in the videos analyzed by The Post said they were conscripts. Putin had promised that these soldiers would not be involved in combat.
Ukraine says that it has taken more than 483 square miles of Russian territory — which is more than the amount of territory Russia has captured in Ukraine since the start of the year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s aim with the incursion is to create a “buffer zone” that can minimize Russia’s ability to attack Ukraine.
Warfare analysts also told BI that Ukraine likely additionally wanted to stretch Russia’s forces and give fresh motivation to its troops and allies.