For the first time, Biden comments on the Kursk Operation; the EU declares its support.

US President Joe Biden said on August 13 that Ukraine’s sudden counter-invasion into Russia “creates a real dilemma” for Putin, and that the US government is in “constant contact” with Kyiv.

The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, declared his support for Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region. The Polish prime minister also stated that Ukraine has a right to defend itself by engaging the enemy on Russian soil and gave his support for Kyiv’s operation.

Politico writes with reference to a Ukrainian military spokesperson, who relays that Russia withdrew a small portion of its troops from the south of Ukraine to its territory in an attempt to repel Ukraine’s incursion. The troop transfer was also confirmed by the US and ISW, citing movement from the rear areas of the Donetsk region.

According to Bloomberg, the Russian army does not have enough soldiers to replace its losses on the front line in Ukraine, which will force authorities to conduct an additional mobilization at the end of the year.