Russia Reports Intense Battles in Kursk Region Amid Ukrainian Incursion
On Wednesday, Russia announced it is engaged in fierce battles with Ukrainian forces who have breached its Kursk region, marking one of the most significant incursions into Russian territory since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022.
Following the failure of Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive to secure substantial gains, Russia has made notable advances this year, reclaiming 420 square kilometers (162 square miles) of territory from Ukrainian forces since June 14, according to Sergei Shoigu, head of Russia’s security council.
Ukrainian forces launched counterattacks on Tuesday, which continued through the night into Wednesday as they pushed northwest from the border town of Sudzha, situated 530 kilometers (330 miles) southwest of Moscow. Russia’s defense ministry reported ongoing clashes in areas directly adjacent to the Russian-Ukrainian border, utilizing air strikes, missile forces, and artillery to repel further Ukrainian advances.
The defense ministry stated that it has already destroyed 50 armored vehicles, including seven tanks, eight armored personnel carriers, three infantry fighting vehicles, and 31 armored combat vehicles in the region. Sudzha remains a critical transit point for Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine and is located 60 kilometers northeast of Russia’s Kursk nuclear power station.
Ukraine has yet to comment on the recent developments. In response, Russia has mobilized additional reserves to reinforce its defenses.
The escalation near Sudzha comes at a pivotal moment in the conflict, with Kyiv concerned about potential reductions in U.S. support if Donald Trump wins the upcoming November election. Trump has pledged to end the war, prompting both Russia and Ukraine to strive for a strong battlefield position to influence future negotiations.
Shoigu warned on Tuesday that the opportunity for peace is diminishing and that delays in initiating peace talks would increase the cost for the Ukrainian people.
Battle of Kursk
Russian military bloggers have reported intense fighting, with some suggesting that Ukraine may have opened a new front.
Acting Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov reported rocket and drone attacks overnight, advising civilians to stay away from windows. He also mentioned that medical institutions are increasing their blood supplies and that a mobile blood donation point would be established in Kursk, historically known for the world’s largest land battle during World War II.
Both Kyiv and Moscow assert that their military operations do not target civilians, despite substantial civilian casualties. Smirnov reported that a Ukrainian drone strike hit an ambulance outside Sudzha, resulting in the deaths of the driver and a paramedic, with a doctor also wounded. Additionally, a senior Orthodox clergyman stated that Ukrainian shelling had set a cathedral and other buildings ablaze at a large monastery outside Sudzha, though no injuries were reported.
Earlier this year, forces identifying themselves as voluntary paramilitaries supporting Ukraine penetrated parts of the Belgorod and Kursk regions, prompting a major Russian military effort to establish a buffer zone in Ukraine’s northeast.
