the Ukrainian armed forces's recent operation in the KK region has highlighted the fragility of Russia's so-called red lines despite Ukrainian forces advancing into Russian territory capturing key areas and disrupting Logistics the Kremlin has refrained from declaring martial law launching a new wave of mobilization or escalating the conflict significantly according to the institute for the study of War this operation demonstrates that Russia's threats of severe consequences for crossing its red lines are largely empty the West has cautiously supported Ukraine's actions though concerns about potential escalation persist