A year ago, President Putin commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Battle of Kursk, addressing soldiers recently returned from Ukraine. Now, as Russia marks the 81st anniversary, Kursk is in the news due to a Ukrainian offensive that seized villages and captured prisoners, catching Russia unprepared. Putin, known for slow crisis responses, has downplayed the attack. At an Aug. 12 security meeting, he appeared uneasy, interrupting the acting regional governor detailing the Ukrainian gains.