President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of orchestrating “another major provocation” following reports that approximately 300 Ukrainian troops crossed into Russia’s Kursk region on Tuesday. Ongoing military confrontations have been reported in the vicinity, as Moscow disclosed that its forces, aided by 11 tanks and over 20 armored combat vehicles, entered near the town of Sudzha, located just 10 kilometers from the frontline.
The escalation has prompted thousands of residents to evacuate their homes in the region. Ukraine has yet to issue a formal response to these accusations from Russia. Speaking ahead of a Security Council meeting in Moscow, President Putin condemned Ukrainian forces for “indiscriminately” targeting civilian infrastructure.
Reports indicate that fighting occurred in various Russian villages throughout Tuesday, followed by alleged Ukrainian airstrikes that resulted in three civilian fatalities and continued throughout the night, according to Russian authorities. Russian officials stated that 24 individuals, including six children, suffered injuries from Ukrainian shelling in the border area.
On Wednesday, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed to have thwarted an attempt by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to advance “deep into Russian territory” in the Kursk region and reported the destruction of several Ukrainian drones during the night. Nonetheless, numerous air alerts were issued in Kursk, prompting local authorities to advise residents to minimize their movements, leading to the cancellation of public events.
Verified footage showed fighter jets flying low over the region on Tuesday, accompanied by smoke rising from ground locations. Acting regional governor Alexei Smirnov informed President Putin about the situation, asserting that the situation was under control. Smirnov also noted that several thousand people had fled affected areas and that medical teams from Moscow and St. Petersburg were en route to provide assistance.
Kyiv has not commented on the ongoing developments in Kursk. A Ukrainian military colonel stated that the cross-border activity was a “preventative” measure, given the estimated presence of 75,000 Russian troops accumulating near the border.
Concerns had risen about a potential Russian incursion into the Sumy region, following a significant cross-border attack into Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region in May. However, recent Ukrainian military successes in capturing several settlements and highways may have impeded those plans for the time being.
While Ukrainian forces are already stretched thin, military analysts are re-evaluating the strategic soundness of such cross-border operations. This incident marks a continuation of previous incursions by Ukrainian fighters into Russian territory, with anti-Kremlin groups conducting raids last year, which were ultimately repelled. Additionally, incursions into the Belgorod and Kursk regions were recorded in March, involving clashes with Russian security forces.
