https://rtvi.com/news/v-sudzhe-aktivny-tanki-protivnika-chto-izvestno-o-situaczii-v-kurskoj-oblasti/?utm_source=smi2

The last time the Ukrainians launched an incursion into Russian territory of this size, the Russians just laughed it off:

"On 17 December 2023, pro-Ukrainian partisans launched another raid into Belgorod. According to a Russian official and other Russian as well as Ukrainian sources, the insurgents targeted the Morozovsk airbase with "mass drone strikes", while clashing with security forces at the village of Terebreno."

This time, a comparable terrorist incursion is causing a massive reaction in the Russian media. Why exactly? If anything, Russia is in a much stronger position in Ukraine than it was then, having taken considerably more territory, having demonstrated that it can continue to do so, despite virtually unlimited military funding to the Ukrainians rebels. So, what's the big fuss, here? Sure, the Ukrainians are shooting things up a bit, and some forces will have to be called in to liquidate them, but, that's precisely what happened back in December 2023.

Why exactly is the Russian media, and Vladimir Putin in particular, making such a big deal out of this, when they played down a comparable incident, just over six months ago?

The Western media is choosing to interpret this as a sign that Russia is on the run, and terrified, perhaps ready to give up.

Actually, it's just the opposite.

The real reason Russia is playing up this particular incident, is that President Zelensky has made a mistake, and has fallen into a trap. It's not that Russia is frightened. Russia is very angry, and very confident. The continual successes of Russian arms have made them confident they can take the whole of Ukraine, if they wish it. And, President Zelensky has given the Russian government a pretext for justifying not just annexing part of Ukraine, but all of it! And, that's now precisely the case that is being made to the Russian people as a whole, who overwhelmingly support their duly elected leader, Vladimir Putin.

«Это уже не просто операция по возврату наших официальных территорий и наказанию нацистов. Можно и нужно идти на земли пока ещё существующей Украины. До Одессы, до Харькова, до Днепропетровска, до Николаева. До Киева и дальше», — написал Медведев в своем телеграм-канале.

"This is no longer just a special operation to obtain the return of Russia's official territory, and to punish the Ukrainian Nazis.
Now, it appears that it will be necessary to wipe Ukraine off the face of the planet! From Odessa, to Charkov, to Dnepropetrovsk, to Mykolaiv. To Kiev, and beyond." - wrote Medvedev on his telegram-channel.

This is actually a new position, and Zelensky has fallen into a trap as the victorious Russian armies continue to advance. His foolish sacrifice of a couple of thousand Ukrainian troops to get attention has indeed gotten him attention. He's provided a rationale and justification for the Russian people to totally exterminate his entire nation!