CIA Deputy Director David Cohen Delivers Rare Insight into Ukraine’s Kursk Incursion.
In a rare public comment, CIA’s number two, deputy director David Cohen, discussed the agency’s view of Ukraine’s ongoing Kursk incursion that began on August 6th. This development has resulted in hundreds of square miles of Russian territory coming under Ukrainian military control, marking the single biggest escalation in the war to date, with Kiev aiming to ‘return’ the war to Russia.
Speaking at the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Washington on Wednesday, Cohen acknowledged that this will be a “difficult fight” for the Russians as they attempt to reclaim their territory. He emphasized, “We can be certain that Putin will mount a counteroffensive to try to reclaim that territory. I think our expectation is that that will be a difficult fight for the Russians.
Cohen further explained the challenge faced by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his military leadership, stating, “They have to deal with a ‘front line now within Russian territory’ but also the ‘reverberations back in his own society that they have lost a piece of Russian territory.
The CIA has been analyzing Ukraine’s goals and aims of the operation. Cohen stated, “They are remaining in Russia, building defenses, and, as best as we can tell from our conversations, there seems to be intent on retaining some of that territory for some period of time.
Ukraine’s high-risk cross-border offensive has had multiple aims, including humiliating and distracting the Kremlin, possibly leading to destabilization of Moscow’s Ukraine operations. However, so far Russia has continued to make clear gains in the Donbass, where front-line fighting is ongoing.
In his remarks, Cohen admitted that Russian advances have been steady but have come at an “extraordinary cost” in terms of lives and resources spent. He emphasized, “But at the end of the day, none of it is a game changer in a strategic sense for the Russians.” This could also be said about Ukraine’s Kursk incursion, although it is expected that US intelligence officials would keep their negative remarks focused on Russia.
Russian media highlighted an exchange where Cohen was asked whether he and his colleagues at Langley were surprised by Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. He declined to answer directly, stating that the significance and implications of the attack “remain to be seen.
It is widely believed that Ukraine did not consult its Western sponsors before launching the operation, leaving them puzzled over its ultimate goals. Despite White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s claims that the US didn’t know about Ukraine’s plans to invade Russia’s Kursk region, it is highly likely that the CIA and Pentagon not only had foreknowledge of the operation but may have even helped in planning and execution.
Western weapons have been seen all over the Kursk battlefield, including main battle tanks like the UK’s Challenger II. There have also reportedly been sightings of US M1 Abrams tanks on Russian territory. This comes despite White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s claims that the US didn’t know about Ukraine’s plans to invade Russia’s Kursk region.
In recent security meetings, President Putin has reaffirmed his stance that Ukraine and the Kursk crisis are part of a proxy war being waged on Russia by the West.
