Russia has accused Ukrainian troops of launching a significant incursion into its Kursk region, marking the first such attack from Ukraine and escalating tensions in a previously quieter part of the conflict zone.
Ukrainian forces crossed the border into the western Kursk region on Tuesday, CNN reported, citing Russian officials. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed that the incursion involved a “massive attack” with troops, tanks, and armoured vehicles. They alleged that Ukrainian forces attempted to breach Russian defenses near the Kursk region, situated just north of Ukraine’s Sumy region.
‘Large-scale provocation’
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the alleged incursion as a “large-scale provocation.” He accused Kyiv of “indiscriminate shooting” at civilian buildings, including residential areas and ambulances. Ukrainian authorities have yet to comment on these allegations.
The extent of the attack remains unclear. It is uncertain whether Ukrainian troops captured any settlements or inflicted damage on strategic targets. Reports from Russian military bloggers and officials suggest that the town of Sudzha, located about 10 kilometers from the border, experienced significant destruction.
Geolocated videos indicate damage from shelling and show Ukrainian forces approaching the town, although it is not confirmed whether they have gained control. According to CNN, Russian sources claim that about 300 Ukrainian troops, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, attacked Russian positions near the villages of Nikolayevo-Daryino and Oleshnya.
Initially, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the attack was repelled. However, this statement was later revised to say that Ukrainian forces were being inflicted with fire damage. Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, later informed President Putin that the Ukrainian advance into Russian territory had been halted.
In response to the fighting, several thousand people have been evacuated from the Kursk region, according to local officials. The reason behind the reported attack is unclear. It could be an attempt by Ukrainian forces to divert Russian resources from other fronts, particularly as Moscow’s offensive continues in eastern Ukraine. The incursion could also serve to boost Ukrainian morale amid a challenging period on the battlefield.
A Russian military blogger, Rybar, reported that Ukrainian forces had taken control of a gas transit station near the border. This station is reportedly the only one through which gas flows from Russia to Ukraine and then to Europe. This claim has not been independently verified. If confirmed, this incursion would represent a major escalation in the conflict.
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