Ukrainian forces have executed a significant military advance, penetrating up to 30 kilometers into Russian territory. This marks the most substantial incursion since the onset of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported clashes with Ukrainian troops near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, as the offensive in the Kursk region enters its sixth day. Furthermore, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of attempting to “intimidate the peaceful population of Russia.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the attack during a recent address, emphasizing the 2,000 cross-border attacks launched by Russia from Kursk over the summer. He stated, “Artillery, mortars, drones. We also record missile strikes, and each such strike deserves a fair response.”
A senior Ukrainian official revealed that thousands of troops are participating in the operation, significantly surpassing earlier reports of a smaller incursion. While Ukraine has previously conducted cross-border sabotage operations, the Kursk offensive is noted as the largest coordinated assault involving conventional forces.
The Ukrainian official articulated the goals of the operation, stating, “We aim to stretch the positions of the enemy, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation in Russia as they cannot protect their own border.”
In an unexpected acknowledgment of Ukraine’s incursion, the Russian Defense Ministry indicated engagement with Ukrainian forces at locations approximately 25 to 30 kilometers from the border. Reports add that footage appearing to show Russian strikes near Levshinka, a village around 25 kilometers from the border, has surfaced online.
Ukrainian troops have announced the capture of several settlements in the Kursk region, including Guevo, where soldiers filmed the removal of the Russian flag from an administrative building. Intense fighting has also been reported in Sudzha, a town with approximately 5,000 residents.
Additionally, Ukrainian forces showcased their presence near a major gas facility in Sudzha that continues to operate, facilitating the transit of natural gas from Russia to the EU despite ongoing hostilities. Observers in Sumy, adjacent to the Kursk region, noted a significant movement of armored vehicles towards Russia.
The armored convoys bore distinct white triangular insignias, designed to differentiate them from equipment used within Ukraine itself. New satellite imagery suggests that Russia is erecting defensive structures near the Kursk nuclear power plant, with Ukrainian troops reported close to engaging in combat within 50 kilometers of the facility.
Authorities in Russia report widespread evacuations, with around 76,000 people leaving border areas in the Kursk region, where a state of emergency has been declared. Local officials confirmed injuries from a missile incident in Kursk’s regional capital.
In a bold statement, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko praised the operation, claiming it brings Ukraine closer to peace than diplomatic discussions alone. “When Russia needs to fight back on their own territory…that’s the only way to show them to stop this war,” he declared.
The Kursk offensive follows a period of intensified Russian military advances in eastern Ukraine, with analysts suggesting that the new assault may aim to compel Russia to redistribute its forces, alleviating stress on Ukrainian defenses. However, reports indicate continued Russian military operations in the east.
Furthermore, Moscow has responded to the Ukrainian advance, launching retaliatory missile strikes on Kyiv that resulted in civilian casualties. Ukrainian air defenses claimed to have intercepted a significant number of Russian attack drones and missiles, highlighting ongoing supply challenges faced by Russia, which has reportedly sought military support from North Korea.
