Daring new offensive sees Ukraine push 5km behind Russian line
Feb 7, 2025
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Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British Army Tank Commander and chemical weapons expert, shares insights on Ukraine's recent military advances and the implications of a leaked peace plan. Alongside him, Anastasia Marushevska, Editor-in-chief of Ukraїner International, discusses the critical role of USAID in supporting Ukrainian media and civil society. The conversation uncovers the challenges local outlets face and the importance of international support. They also touch on the evolving geopolitical landscape and the urgency in military recruitment for future operations.
Ukrainian forces are advancing strategically in the Kursk region, challenging Russian military positions and consuming significant resources amidst escalating tensions.
The freeze on USAID raises urgent concerns about the sustainability of vital humanitarian projects in Ukraine, impacting civil society and infrastructure development.
A leaked peace plan from the Trump administration poses risks to Ukraine's territorial integrity and NATO aspirations, favoring Moscow's interests over those of Kyiv.
Deep dives
Ukrainian Advances in Korsk
Ukrainian forces are reportedly making strategic advances in the Korsk region, pushing southeast by approximately five kilometers around Suja, the main operational base inside Russia. The mechanized assaults, involving battalion-sized units, have stirred a spectrum of responses from the Russian military blogosphere, which has made conflicting claims regarding the effectiveness of these attacks. While some sources assert that Ukrainian forces have made significant headway, others maintain that Russian troops have successfully repelled the attacks. This ongoing operation is believed to be consuming substantial Russian military resources, tying down approximately 80,000 troops amidst escalating tensions.
The Impact of USAID Withdrawal
The recent freeze on USAID has raised serious concerns about the future of humanitarian aid and development projects in Ukraine. Historically, USAID has played a crucial role in supporting Ukraine's civil society, health care, and infrastructure since its independence, particularly in emergency responses and disease prevention. With the aid freeze, many vital programs, including those aimed at providing essential services and supporting vulnerable populations, face abrupt disruptions. Critics argue that this withdrawal not only jeopardizes immediate humanitarian efforts but also undermines Ukraine's long-term democratic development and stability.
Leaked Peace Plan Insights
A leaked peace plan purportedly from the Trump administration includes provisions for freezing current front lines and suggests limits on Ukraine's NATO aspirations, focusing instead on EU membership by 2030. This framework raises significant concerns among Ukrainian leaders, particularly due to its potential requirement for Ukraine to relinquish territories gained during conflicts, such as in the Kursk region. The plan lacks substantial accountability measures for Russia’s actions and offers little in the way of reparations for Ukrainian war damages. Furthermore, criticism arises towards the disproportionate emphasis on Moscow's interests over those of Kyiv, leaving many uncertain about its viability.
Challenges Facing Ukrainian Media
The halt of USAID funding raises alarm bells for Ukrainian media outlets relying heavily on external financial support. Many regional media organizations, which played key roles in disseminating information during the war, now face an uncertain future due to the sudden withdrawal of funds previously allocated for crucial operations. With the media landscape heavily reliant on grants, this funding lapse could threaten journalistic independence and the ability to sustain public discourse. As new narratives emerge and misinformation spreads, the survival of accountable media becomes integral to Ukraine's democratic integrity and war effort.
Russian Propaganda Strategies
In the wake of the USAID funding freeze, Russian propaganda is expected to exploit this situation by amplifying narratives that question U.S. motives and portray Ukraine as dependent on American support. Claims regarding the impacts of USAID on social issues, particularly among marginalized groups, are likely to be twisted to suggest that the cessation of aid will lead to societal collapse. This strategic narrative aims to foster disillusionment both domestically in the U.S. and within Ukraine, undermining public support for continued cooperation. By framing the discourse around diverging American interests, Russian media seeks to capitalize on political polarization to advance its own agenda.
Today, we talk about Ukrainian advances in Kursk, a potential leaked peace plan from the Trump administration, and the impact of the withdrawal of USAID on Ukrainian media.
Contributors:
Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X
With thanks to Anastasiia Marushevska (editor-in-chief of Ukraїner International and co-founder of PR Army). @_little_grace_ on X.
Content Referenced:
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon in The Telegraph: Trump’s Gaza intervention must have Putin terrified
