Russian President Vladimir Putin vows to respond as civilians in Kursk region are ordered to leave.
A lightning attack by Ukrainian forces on Russian territory last week took not only Russia but also the rest of the world by surprise.
Ukrainian troops are reported to be advancing in Russia's Kursk region and Moscow has ordered the evacuation of civilians there and from neighbouring Belgorod.
Why was this surprise operation launched now? And how is it perceived in Russia and Ukraine?
Presenter: James Bays
Guests:
Olesia Horiainova – Co-founder of the Center for Security and Cooperation of Ukraine
Pavel Felgenhauer – Independent Russian defense analyst
Patrick Bury – Defence and security analyst at the University of Bath and former British Army officer
