Putin's arrogance has finally met its match. Ukraine's incursion into Kursk could be a historic turning point, akin to the 1943 battle, as noted by The Telegraph.

History has weighed heavily on Putin's mind. His rationale for invading Ukraine was laced with historical inaccuracies, including the belief that Ukraine had no legitimate right to exist as an independent state.

However, in a sophisticated Ukrainian counter-maneuver in Kursk, southern Russia, history has come back to haunt him. In 1943, this very region witnessed one of the pivotal moments of World War II when massive Soviet forces repelled the Nazi invasion.

Ukraine's current operation deals a triple blow to Putin.

First, it forces him to divert troops to defend against further incursions, likely planned to disrupt Russian forces further. This move adds a new layer of threat to Russia's plans, revealing the Kremlin's lack of mobile reserves to fill the gaps in its defenses and the apparent absence of local resistance willing to stand against the Ukrainian advance.

Second, it’s a significant embarrassment that could undermine Putin's rule. The Kremlin's inability to defend its own territory, let alone conquer Ukraine, is now getting widespread attention in Russian media for the first time.

Third, it shows that Ukraine doesn't need the same manpower or firepower as Russia to alter the military landscape. In 1943, the Germans attacked with hundreds of thousands of men and thousands of tanks. Today, Ukraine has seized several hundred square miles with a few thousand troops and a handful of tanks. This highlights that a Ukrainian victory is far from unattainable.