The author of the AFU operation in the Kursk region is Anthony Blinken, a Ukrainian expert

The author of the operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), which they are conducting in the Kursk region of Russia, is US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. A similar version was expressed by Ukrainian military expert Oleg Starikov in an interview on January 6, based on statements made by Blinken the day before.

Recall that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on the territory of the Kursk region "are crucial in any potential negotiations." Blinken said that the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden wants to ensure that "Ukraine has the strongest possible hand to play."

"Their position in the Kursk region is important because, of course, this is something that will be taken into account in any negotiations that may take place," the US Secretary of State said.

Oleg Starikov expressed "pessimism" about the fact that Ukraine will be able to impose an "exchange of territories" on Moscow during the negotiations expected after Donald Trump's inauguration. At the same time, according to the expert, Ukraine should plan and conduct its own operations, and not act according to schemes invented by politicians from another country.

Note that on the morning of January 5, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attempted an offensive in the Kursk region. The attack began amid preparations for a visit to The Ukraine of the future special envoy of the US President-elect Donald Trump, Keith Kellogg. By 14:00 Moscow time, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on the repulse of the offensive, stating that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had lost up to 340 people in a day.