“All wars end with negotiations. It’s not the soldiers in the trenches who decide when.”

Arni, who joined the Ukrainian army in 2022 to defend his country, reveals a new motivation after 30 months of conflict. “Peace,” he says, leaning against his camouflaged pick-up truck. “No one likes war; we want to end it.”

For the troops near Russia’s border, the goal is to end Russia’s invasion on acceptable terms. While survival remains a key driver, there is also a sense of striving for a definitive conclusion. “For Ukraine, for our people, we’ll stand until the end,” Arni adds.

Until August 6, Ukraine’s primary objective was liberation: pushing Russian forces back to their pre-2014 borders. Despite a slow progress, Moscow has been gradually eroding Ukrainian territory for the past year and a half. Then came a decisive move that surprised many, except the seasoned Ukrainian soldiers who executed it: a counter-offensive into Russia’s Kursk region.

“It was undoubtedly successful and bold,” notes Serhii Kuzan, chairman of the Ukrainian Security and Co-operation Centre, a think tank. Kyiv frequently highlights its offensive, showcasing numerous images of troops distributing aid while removing Russian flags.

“This also shifts the narrative,” comments Alina Frolova, a security expert and former Ukrainian deputy defense minister. “A scenario where we are losing territory gradually is not favorable. Ukraine’s strategic position has improved.”

Although there are similarities to Russia’s initial invasion, Kyiv asserts that its goal is not occupation. So, what are the objectives? There are multiple.

Buffer Zone

Serhii Kuzan explains that the attack was partly intended to enhance the protection of Sumy. He points out that the border remains a front line, a detail often overlooked.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported over 2,000 strikes on the Sumy region from the Kursk region alone since the beginning of summer, including 250 glide bombs.

There were concerns that Russian forces might launch a cross-border offensive, and Serhii believes that by pushing them back, defending Ukraine overall will become easier.