the reality was sinking in. The incursion had not been a minor border skirmish, but a full-scale invasion by Ukrainian forces. As the day wore on, reports of heavy fighting and casualties began to emerge. Russian authorities scrambled to respond, with emergency services being mobilized and residents being advised to stay indoors.
By the evening of Aug. 7, President Putin finally addressed the nation, denouncing Ukraine’s actions as a “grave mistake” and vowing to defend Russian territory at all costs. The situation remained tense, with both sides exchanging fire and casualties mounting on both sides.
The events of those first two days of the incursion had caught many by surprise, both in Russia and abroad. The failure of Russian intelligence to anticipate the attack, and the swift and daring nature of Ukraine’s assault, had exposed weaknesses in Russia’s defenses and raised questions about the effectiveness of its military leadership.
As the conflict continued to escalate, the world watched anxiously to see how it would unfold. The outcome of the war between Ukraine and Russia remained uncertain, but one thing was clear – the events of those first two days had changed the course of the conflict and had far-reaching implications for the region and beyond.