Kyiv claims to occupy 82 localities in Russia's Kursk region

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00:00Emblazoned with a symbolic white triangle, which signifies this counter-offensive, Ukrainian

00:05tanks continued their advance into Russian territory, at times collecting road signs

00:10of the villages they had seized.

00:12Kiev claims to occupy 82 localities in Russia's Kursk region, or 1,150 km2, including the

00:19town of Suja.

00:20But the question is, how long can it last?

00:23These satellite images show trenches dug by the Russian army in recent days that suggest

00:27it could be preparing for a new lasting front on its territory, as Ukraine claims to have

00:31set up a military office in the region and says it has plans to keep advancing.

00:36They are putting themselves in a situation where they could establish their defensive

00:40line in Russian territory, and no longer in Ukrainian territory.

00:44This is important for them because it means they can no longer bomb Ukrainian territory

00:48from Russia.

00:49At the same time, it allows them to secure this small territorial conquest as a bargaining

00:53chip later on.

00:57Ukrainian residents who were evacuated in a hurry can't imagine leaving their region

01:01to the Ukrainian army for long.

01:06This is our homeland.

01:07We'll all fight for it if we have to.

01:14Ukrainian soldiers will be finished.

01:17Let them go home.

01:18Stop the war.

01:21The Russian army is more powerful and for the time being seems to be prioritising its

01:26advance into eastern Ukraine.

01:29But it may find it difficult to push the Ukrainians back onto their own territory.

01:34Most of Russia's military power today is based on artillery and bombing.

01:38I imagine that despite the lack of scruples, it's a bit complicated to go and bulldoze

01:43this area under the pretext of getting the Ukrainians out.

01:48Talks have been at a standstill for two years, but this incursion has offered a glimpse of

01:52hope that Russia may be forced to negotiate.

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