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.