Was Ukraine’s Invasion of Russia Worth it? (How Many Losses?) - History Legends

Did Ukraine's Kursk operation reach its objectives? In this video, we will go through an assessment based on whether or not the Ukrainian diversion was successful, if the ratio of losses was favorable to Ukraine, and if it convinced European partners to step up military aid to Ukraine.

0:00 Introduction
3:16 Kursk as a diversion from Pokrovsk?
9:56 Was the ratio of losses favorable to Ukraine? (Equipment)
15:36 How many Ukrainian soldiers fell in Kursk?
20:47 How many personnel losses for Russia?
23:30 Geopolitical analysis



The intention of the incursion was likely the capture of the Kursk nuclear power plant and then to hold territory to use as a bargaining chip to trade with Russia (which this video rejects). The clip here looks at the battle in more of a tactical way, that it was intended to draw Russian resources from other areas of the front. But the problem is that the incursion turned into yet another meat grinder that burnt up elite units and their equipment. It was obviously not a good idea for a military short on resources. 

Perhaps the incursion was intended as a Ukrainian propaganda ploy to show what they could do to get more support from their NATO allies? But at what cost, since it has undermined their efforts to hold ground elsewhere? It doesn't make that much sense tactically. 

The big question is whether the Russians allowed this to happen or whether they were caught off guard?

Ukrainian resources would be much better spent building fortified defensive lines throughout the country. These counter attack operations end up being meat grinders. 

[Posted at the SpookyWeather2 blog, March 30, 2025.]