Yes it looks suspiciously like that may have something to do with it.
But last I heard they were pushing pretty hard in Kherson, at the same time they continued pushing in Donetsk, so I think it’s more an overall attempt to “punish” Ukraine, than just trying to take back occupied territory in Kursk.
Obviously the Russian strategy from the start was to try to overwhelm Ukraine, then they shifted to a strategy of trying to wear them down. I’m honestly not sure the Russian even know what they are doing at this point, whatever they are trying, it seems like they are wearing themselves down more than they are Ukraine.

Ukraine was probably trying to bait Russia, and it seems to have worked, and it’s kind of funny, because it reminds me of how Harris baited Trump at the debate. The idiots can’t help themselves, they fall for it even when they know they shouldn’t.