Biden comments on Ukraine's offensive in Russia's Kursk, saying it creates "a real dilemma" for Putin

US President Joe Biden has commented on Ukraine's offensive in Russia's Kursk Oblast for the first time, stating that this attack presents Russian leader Vladimir Putin with a "real dilemma".

Source: Reuters

Quote from Biden: "It's creating a real dilemma for Putin, and we've been in direct contact, constant contact, with the Ukrainians. That's all I'm going to say about it while it's active."

Background:

• On the morning of 6 August, the Russians claimed that Ukrainian forces had mounted an attempt to infiltrate Kursk Oblast, Russia. Russian propagandists and military bloggers are claiming that Ukrainian forces have secured a foothold in the border area. Russian ruler Vladimir Putin called the situation a "provocation".
• On 9 August, Russia’s Ministry of Defence issued a statement on the situation in Kursk Oblast, acknowledging that Ukrainian forces were on the outskirts of the town of Sudzha.
• On 10 August, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said that 76,000 civilians had been evacuated from areas near the Russian-Ukrainian border in Kursk Oblast
• On 12 August, Alexei Smirnov, acting Governor of Kursk Oblast in Russia, informed Russian leader Vladimir Putin that 28 towns and villages in Kursk Oblast were "under enemy control".
• Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported to Volodymyr Zelenskyy that as of 13 August, Ukraine’s defence forces had gained control over 74 settlements in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.

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