The stakes behind Ukraine's surprise attack inside Russian territory
CBSN
Ukraine's surprise thrust into Russia – armored columns slicing through unprepared defenses, seizing towns and settlements – is perhaps the most audacious gamble in more than two years of war, since the invasion was launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin. "There's a big psychological blow here to the Russian mindset, specifically Putin, where you have a Ukrainian penetration of Russian territory, [for the] first time since World War II," said former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley.
But Milley points out the 500-square-mile bulge is barely a dot on the map of Russia. And with three exposed flanks, it comes with considerable risk. "The Russians could mass forces, cut them off and overrun the Ukrainians," Milley said.
Asked if he expects Putin to launch a major counter-offensive to take back Russian territory, Milley replied, "That's at least one of the possibilities that could very well happen in the coming months."
Warsaw, Poland — European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday pledged billions of euros in aid for Central European countries that suffered enormous damage to infrastructure and housing during the massive flooding that has so far claimed 24 lives in the region. Von der Leyen paid a quick visit to a flood-damaged area in southeast Poland and met with heads of the governments of the affected countries — Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
TEL AVIV, Israel — The recent attacks targeting Hezbollah members with exploding pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon may seem to be the stuff of spy novels, but the impact and implications of the complex operations blamed on Israel are very real. Lebanese officials said at least 30 people were killed and some 3,000 wounded by the explosions, and the chief of Hezbollah acknowledged Thursday that the Iran-backed militant group had taken a serious blow.
Washington — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to be among just a small handful of global political leaders to meet with both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump next week as dignitaries travel to the United States for a series of global-themed events amid the ongoing American presidential election.