This is John Batchel, a conversation with colleague John Hardy of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies

about the headline in London, top Russian general betrays Putin's worst fears as Ukraine attacks Kursk again.

Ukraine has launched a counterattack in the Kersk salient and and at the same time, the deputy defense minister,

General Eunice Beck-Yev-Kurov travels to the region. Why? John here puts together a logical

explanation that is not the alarm bells of the early days of the Ukrainian conflict. It certainly shows

some weakness in Russian organization.

This is a rush to the front to meet with a temporary head governor of the Kursk region.

Why?

More of this tonight.

So I'm not sure exactly what the purpose of his visit was.

I mean, if Kroof, as you said, Deputy Defense Minister officially responsible for combat

training, among other things.

His kind of responsibilities have extended beyond his formal capacity.

So it's possible he was sent here as kind of an emergency,

emergency kind of dispatch to help organize the defense and cursed.

But I think like who he was meeting with is telling.

So he's meeting with the acting governor.

Like this could well be related to the formation of, we're called bars, or basically

combat reserve units in Incurs and the other border regions. That seems to be part of the reason

for Yiv Kurov's visit. And I doubt he's playing an operational role in the operation in the in the in the in the in

operation in curse that's just not really his job. So you know, I wouldn't exactly read too much

into into his business.

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