https://t.me/pravdaGerashchenko_en/33920
“As of today, 28 settlements are under enemy control, the depth of penetration into the territory of the Kursk region is 12 kilometers, and the front’s width is 40 kilometers” - Kursk region acting governor told Putin. Putin interrupted him and said not to mention numbers.
You’re assuming that the goal is to shock Russians. Other possible goals are:
- Force Russia into a “dilemma” where it has to stop the offensive in Donetsk to deal with the attack
- Strike targets deeper in Russia
- Cause economic strain for Russia by capturing/disabling key infrastructure like the Kursk powerplant
- Flank Russian forces in Luhansk
- Capture and hold Russian land to use as a bargaining chip
- Humiliate Putin
Which of these goals are the reasons for this incursion are unknown outside of Ukraine’s command structure.