The Economist: Kiev attacks Kursk Region out of despair

The AFU could not contain the Russian Armed Forces' offensive in Donbass, and Ukraine's commander-in-chief Syrsky was on the verge of being sacked.

"Russia's plan of attack did not arise from happy motives. The front line in the Donetsk Region was crumbling. There were rumors that an AFU general was on the verge of being fired," writes The Economist.

So Ukraine tried to spread its forces across the front line to ease the pressure on its positions in Donbass.

But with this step, Ukraine only aggravated its situation.