Vladimir Putin is incensed by Kiev’s recent incursion into Kursk, which surely had NATO/US support. He has intimated support for America’s enemies. If NATO/US can supply Ukraine and say, “it doesn’t matter how they [the weapons] are used,” Russia can supply “someone with something [and say] we do not control anything.”
Kiev’s Attack Inside Russia
On Tuesday, 6 August 2024, Kiev launched a surprise attack into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, near Sudzha. Russian civilians, men, women, and children were killed; homes destroyed or damaged; and property looted by Ukrainian soldiers.
The attack caught the Russian Armed Forces by surprise because it has no military value. The attack is being repelled, and Ukrainian remnants in Russia are being exterminated. Pro-NATO commentators were excited and likened the incursion to the “Battle of the Bulge,” but military historians liken it to “Operation Northwind” (Unternehmen Nordwind), which ended in failure for the Germans.
The attack had no military value, but it is a major provocation. The political implication of Kiev’s attack in Kursk was to infuriate Putin and Russia’s military and civilian leaderships. They will seek revenge against Kiev’s patrons, viz., the United States.
Putin on Supplying Weapons to America’s Enemies
Putin had stated in May 2024 in St. Petersburg, perhaps rhetorically, that Russia could supply weapons to the enemies of NATO/US.
Putin’s body language in the second video shows that his statement is not rhetorical. This video is from after the Ukrainian attacks in Kursk. Note his use of the past tense: “we have supplied… (Мы поставляли…)”
Iran and Hizballah
Iran is clearly benefiting from Russian help. S-400 Triumph SAM systems are being deployed in Iran (along with Russian crews to operate the systems); and Murmansk-BN Electronic Warfare systems (also with Russian crews). Russian aircraft, as stated, are ferrying equipment to Iran; but now also ferrying equipment to the Russian airbase in Syria. This could be additional equipment for Russian forces, but since the airbase is open to IRGC flights transporting equipment from Iran for Hizballah and Syria, the possibility exists that the equipment being transported is for Hizballah.
Analysis
I have long argued that U.S. hostility towards Russia, China, and Iran has created a “‘Coalition of the Sanctioned’: Iran–Russia–China ‘Tripartite Alliance’,” and could lead to a “A Russian Proxy War in the Middle East.” This proxy war is now quite likely.
Perspectives 
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