Putin was certain with Shoigu at least three MORE Ukrainian cities size of Pokrovsk/Avdiivka will fall down before one would faceoff with Ukrainian troops on their way to Kursk

 And thats why many were worried about future Kursk invasion https://ausertimes.blogspot.com/2024/08/after-bakhmut-and-avdiivka-russians-are.html anyhow, Kiev is also paying high price as a result of Kursk....