Heavy fighting in Russia’s Kursk region has now entered its third day, as Moscow’s defense ministry confirms continued efforts to expel Ukrainian forces from the area. Reports indicate that over 1,000 Ukrainian troops, equipped with tanks and armored vehicles, crossed into Russian territory on Tuesday.
The escalation in conflict has resulted in the evacuation of approximately 3,000 residents, with at least four fatalities reported, according to Kursk’s deputy governor Andrei Belostotsky. In response to the situation, a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky attributed the military actions to “Russia’s unequivocal aggression.”
Mykhailo Podolyak, a key advisor to Zelensky, emphasized that “war is war,” highlighting the inevitable consequences faced by the aggressor. Russia’s defense ministry claims that Ukrainian offensive attempts in the Sudzhansky and Korenevsky districts have been thwarted through coordinated efforts involving the Federal Security Service (FSB) and military forces, asserting that Ukraine has suffered 660 military casualties since the onset of hostilities.
Additionally, Moscow reported significant losses for Ukraine, claiming the destruction of 82 armored vehicles, a stark increase from initial reports of just 11 tanks and over 20 armored units crossing into Russia. Despite these claims, an analysis from the Institute for the Study of War revealed geolocated footage indicating that Ukrainian forces had advanced approximately 10 kilometers into Russian territory.
Pressure is mounting on Russia’s military leadership, with prominent pro-war Telegram channels criticizing the Kremlin’s portrayal of the situation. The influential Rybar channel expressed dissatisfaction with military operations, suggesting that critical information was not properly addressed, resulting in missed opportunities for strategic decisions.
Local officials in neighboring regions, both in Russia and Ukraine, have ordered evacuations in light of the incursion. The governor of Belgorod reported attacks on settlements by Ukrainian forces within the past 24 hours.
In a notable development, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko announced that Ukrainian forces have purportedly gained control of the Sudzha gas hub, a key facility for the transit of natural gas from Russia to the European Union. Nonetheless, reports indicate that gas continues to flow from Sudzha despite the ongoing conflict.
As Russia reinforces security around Kursk’s nuclear power station, located approximately 70 kilometers northeast of the gas hub, the conflict remains tense. Recent observations suggest that Russian forces have made incremental gains in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine’s military faced fierce resistance in the Donbas region. Ukrainian defense intelligence anticipates that the main offensive by Russian forces may conclude within the next month to two months.
