There are dozens of unanswered questions about the situation that has developed in the war between Ukraine and in Russia. Kiev seems to have “caught Moscow asleep” and with a surprise operation, counterattacked on Russian territory, with the Ukrainian army reaching several kilometers inside Russian territory.

A big question is this: What does Ukraine expect from the invasion of Russian territory?

A second big question is her reaction of Russiawhich, so far, appears to be more than subdued.

The fighting, and by extension the interest of the international community, has been transferred to the region mainly of Kursk, which has been significantly affected by the Ukrainian forces.

According to US officials, Russia has “pulled” a large number of troops from the Ukrainian front, to the Russian border, in order to deal with the threat on its soil.

Reports from Western countries speak of a plan drawn up in complete secrecy from Kiev, surprising even close allies.

Given the Russian occupation of Dodbas and other Russian-linked areas of Ukraine, another big question that arises is this: How did Kiev plan and implement its plan?

The answer is multi-pronged:

Firstly: excellent functional safety. Nothing was leaked about the business. Based on ground video and satellite images of their advance, the troop movements looked almost like a drill. Everyone knew what to do and how to do it.

SecondlyUkrainian forces deployed under the cover of the rural roads of the Sumy region, in northeastern Ukraine. Experienced, battle-hardened units were raised or diverted from other areas. Units such as the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, which until recently fought in the nearby Kharkov region, joined the mission to breach Russia’s borders.

Thirdlyamong the detailed preparations was accurate information about the readiness and capability of Russian units on the border, and the number of obstacles ahead, from minefields to tank traps.

FourthUkrainian forces also used a detailed knowledge of geography to launch the attack, using forest zones for cover and roads for speed. Only in the last few days before the invasion began were the commanders informed of the mission.

Having created weak points in the Russian defense, the first Ukrainian units stormed Kursk on the evening of August 6.

In the control of the Ukrainians the city of Shuja

The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces had taken control of Sudzha – the first official confirmation that troops, who have been in the town since last Wednesday, had taken it.

The city is an important transit point for the supply of natural gas from Russia to Europe via Ukraine. Satellite images showed a gas terminal at a nearby border crossing in ruins.

Instead of confronting the Russian units head on, the Ukrainian units bypassed them. At the same time, the Ukrainians turned their attention to Russian reinforcements, eliminating a convoy of 14 Russian military vehicles near Rylsk with a missile attack.

The Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyisaid Thursday that Ukrainian forces have captured 1,150 square kilometers (about 444 square miles) of territory and 82 settlements since the start of the surprise invasion.

Ukraine’s expectations of the invasion

But what does Ukraine expect from the invasion of Russia?

The answer to the question is not simple. Kiev, according to reports, hopes that through the threat it has created for Russian territory, it will redefine the terms of the war. How can this be done? Zelensky and his colleagues believe that in this way they will pressure Vladimir Putin to capitulate on different terms than those he has been putting forward to date. That is, the recognition of the conquered territories as part of Russian territory, including Crimea.

He hopes to achieve the above Kyivaccording to the reasoning that executed his plan. But there is also the other “reading”.

Reports from Moscow speak of a “tough response”, which will be none other than turning the war into a total operation. What does this mean? That the selective bombings, according to Russia, until today, will intensify to a sweeping level, even in the capital of Ukraine, in Kiev, with the aim, now, of eliminating the Ukrainian government.

In other words, the chances of having a total war, with the risk of involving the West as well, – already Moscow is throwing out accusations and threats – have increased significantly.

The level of Russia’s reaction is expected in the near future. According to what is being reported by Russian media, the Kremlin wants to first secure the inhabitants and the areas of its territory, and then it will launch a new wave towards Ukraine, this time with significantly stronger weapons.