Pentagon called the Armed Forces Kursk by blackmailing: why the United States was not stopped by military assistance - NYT

The New York Times journalists spoke about hidden aspects of Ukraine and the United States during the Kursk Operation, which was conducted in strict secrecy. For Ukraine, the operation in the Russian Federation became part of a broader strategy, where one of the main goals was the control of Russian land, which could play a key role in possible future peace talks.

It also made it possible to demonstrate the full independence of Ukrainian military action, despite the warning of US partners about risks. However, according to the publication, the operation was performed with a clear violation of mutual arrangements with partners on a coalition, including the US. Ukrainian troops crossed the territory of Russia in the Kursk area, which became a serious violation of trust from the United States, with which Kiev maintained close cooperation.

As a result, the US side was in a difficult situation, as the operation violated previously agreed lines, which were guaranteed the use of Western weapons, including HIMARS and reconnaissance data. At the same time, the CIA was aware of the preparation for the invasion, but Kiev warned from the use of the weapons that was in attack on the Russian territory.

Thus, the operation was not only a violation of political consent, but also pose a danger of the lives of Ukrainian soldiers who would be unprotected without Western assistance. "It was not almost blackmail, it was a blackmail," said a high -ranking Pentagon representative. The fact is that the state -owned long -range weapons had to restrain the Russians in the Kharkiv direction, but the Armed Forces command decided to use it for offensive actions in the Russian Federation.

The Russian armed forces responded promptly to the threat, deploying forces in the Kursk and Sudzhi area. In response to the Ukrainian attack, a counter -offensive was organized using drones, artillery and aviation. The North Korea units, which were thrown to support the Russian army, played a special role.

As a result, the White House Administration supported the use of ATCMS for military purposes in the Russian Federation, and in particular, on a military bunker, where North Korean General Kim Jon Bok met with his Russian colleagues. However, by journalists, by March 2025, a large part of the territory occupied by Ukrainian troops was returned under Russia's control.

The fighting was accompanied by intense artillery strikes and rocket attacks, in which the Himars system played by the Americans played a key role. However, with the reduction of Western support, the effectiveness of defense forces decreased, which led to their gradual retreat. We will remind, on March 18 the forces of defense of Ukraine in the Kursk direction successfully struck three North Korean SAU M1989 Koksan.