Ukrainian forces have made significant advances into the Kursk region of Russia, a move that has caught many by surprise, including American officials, according to various sources.
Unlike previous Ukrainian operations inside Russia, which typically involved undercover units and local supporters, this operation includes a mix of regular and special operations forces. The goals of the operation, as explained by US and Ukrainian officials, are twofold: to disrupt and demoralize Russian troops and to redirect Russian forces from other critical areas on the eastern front. It is believed that Ukraine does not plan to hold onto the Russian territory in the long term.
On Thursday, Russia claimed to have stopped the Ukrainian advance but later acknowledged ongoing battles in the Kursk region. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its “North” force units, along with the Federal Security Service (FSB), are actively fighting Ukrainian forces in the Sudzhensky and Korenevsky districts, which are close to the border. These claims, however, cannot be independently verified.
Residents in the Sudzhansky District have appealed to President Vladimir Putin, expressing concerns that he has been misled about the situation. They argue that the Russian Defense Ministry’s assurances of control are not accurate.
A video message from Kursk residents, posted on a local Telegram channel, describes severe damage and chaos, with accusations that misinformation is putting local lives at risk. Reports indicate that Sudzha has been heavily impacted, with local administration failing to respond adequately.
The Russian Ministry of Health has reported that 66 people, including nine children, have been injured due to Ukrainian shelling since Tuesday. To address the situation, a mobile hospital with 100 beds has been set up in the Kursk region.
Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of organized evacuation, having fled their homes in the middle of the night with little to no personal belongings. Communication has been disrupted, leaving many unable to reach relatives who remained behind.
According to local reports, Ukrainian forces have taken control of nearly 90% of the village of Malaya Loknya. Ukraine has not officially confirmed its involvement in the ground operation inside Russia, and the Ukrainian government has yet to make a public statement on the matter.
A Ukrainian state project, “Hochu Nayti,” which tracks Russian prisoners of war, reported that a significant number of Russian soldiers have been captured in the Kursk region. Russia has accused Ukrainian forces of a large-scale attack and attempts to breach Russian defenses, though the full extent of the damage or any territorial control by Ukrainian troops remains unclear.
Russian Defense Ministry statements claim that Ukrainian units’ attempts to penetrate deep into Kursk are being repelled, with losses including up to 400 servicemen and 32 armored vehicles. These claims also cannot be verified independently.
Russian military bloggers have described the situation as challenging, with disrupted communications and casualties among their ranks. Mick Ryan, a war analyst, noted that Ukraine seems to have deployed experienced units in this operation, which appears to be yielding significant results.
The Institute for the Study of War confirmed that Ukrainian forces have advanced up to 10 kilometers into the Kursk region. International reactions have generally supported Ukraine’s right to self-defense, but specific comments on the operation have been limited.
The White House was reportedly surprised by the Ukrainian operation and plans to seek more information from Ukrainian military sources about their objectives. The US continues to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
On the broader front, Russian forces have made incremental advances in eastern Ukraine, threatening key supply lines and nearing strategic locations. Kyiv is receiving new US military assistance but still faces challenges with troop shortages.
Additionally, Ukrainian forces recently conducted a raid on the Russian-occupied Tendra Spit, reportedly destroying Russian equipment and fortifications. This operation could be part of a broader strategy to divert Russian resources and boost Ukrainian morale, as well as to highlight vulnerabilities in Russia’s defense.
A report from a Russian military blogger indicated that Ukrainian forces may have taken control of a gas transit station near the border, which is crucial for gas flows from Russia to Europe. This claim has not been verified, and while the European Union has significantly reduced its reliance on Russian gas, some still flows through Ukraine.