Ukraine Launches New Offensive in Russia’s Kursk Region
Ukraine has initiated a new offensive in the Kursk region of Russia, according to the Russian defense ministry. The ministry confirmed that operations to neutralize Ukrainian attack groups are currently in progress, echoing statements from Ukrainian officials who suggest an active military operation is underway.
The hostilities in Kursk are not new; Ukraine began its incursion into the region back in August of the previous year, successfully capturing a portion of territory. Despite recent gains by Russian forces that have pushed Ukrainian troops back, complete expulsion of Ukrainian forces has not been achieved.
On a recent Sunday, Russia’s defense ministry reported on Telegram that around 9 AM Moscow time, a Ukrainian counter-attack was launched, involving an assault detachment equipped with two tanks, a counter-obstacle vehicle, and 12 armored fighting vehicles. Russian military bloggers provided additional insights, noting the attack originated from a Ukrainian base in Sudzha, targeting the villages of Berdin and Bolshoye Soldatskoye, which are vital points on the route to Kursk city.
Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, commented positively on developments in the Kursk region, suggesting that Russia is facing significant challenges. Furthermore, Andriy Kovalenko, Ukraine’s counter-disinformation chief, indicated that Russian forces in Kursk are experiencing unexpected anxiety due to attacks from multiple directions.
While the scale of the offensive remains uncertain, some military analysts speculate it could be a diversion, with potential for a more significant assault elsewhere. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are reportedly grappling with manpower shortages and have experienced setbacks in eastern Ukraine as Russian troops continue their advance.
In a related development, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia conducted another drone strike overnight, with 61 drones intercepted over various regions, including Kyiv, Poltava, and Kharkiv. Although there were no direct hits, some houses in Kharkiv were reportedly damaged by an intercepted drone.
In November, Ukraine engaged in combat with North Korean troops in the Kursk region, following an earlier Ukrainian advance of up to 18 miles into Russian territory that prompted a response from Moscow, evacuating nearly 200,000 residents from border areas. President Vladimir Putin condemned these actions as a major provocation, while Ukraine’s military leadership claimed control of over 1,200 square kilometers of Russian territory during that period, though some of that ground has since been regained by Russian forces.
