Ukrainian forces have been seizing and occupying Russian territory for nearly two weeks.
Cross-border attacks in Ukraine The entry into the Kursk region marks the first time foreign troops have fought on Russian soil since World War II.
The dramatic and unexpected development in the war comes nearly two and a half years after President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Kremlin oath ‘Forcing enemies’ to leave Russia. President Putin has not publicly used the word “invasion” to describe the Ukrainian offensive, seemingly in an effort to downplay what is happening and avoid any sense of panic.
But how did the Russian public react?
Drive two and a half hours south of Moscow into the Tula region and you’ll reach the leafy town of Alexin.
It’s only 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Moscow, but somehow feels like A world away from the Russian capital.
There was a patriotic pop concert in the town square the day we visited. Most people I spoke to expressed shock at what was happening in the South.
Since February 2022, Russian state television has been reporting on the actions of Russian troops in Ukraine.
No one here expected that Russia’s borders would be breached.
There is obvious fatigue. Everyone talks about the need for peace. But there is currently no consensus on how to achieve this goal.
Some Russians, repeating official messages from state media, called for “peace on Russian terms” (in other words, total surrender of Ukraine).
Others expressed hope that Moscow and Kiev would come to the negotiating table, Find a way to end the conflict.
The Kremlin still calls its troops’ operations in Ukraine “special military operations.” It is said that Russia is currently conducting “anti-terrorism operations” in the Kursk region.
This is the official view. But ordinary Russians use one simple word to describe all this: “war.”
Producer: Lisa Shuvalova
56 minutes ago
