On Tuesday afternoon, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into the southwestern Kursk region, resulting in at least three civilian deaths and over a dozen injuries.
The Russian military has since rushed reserve troops and aviation units to the area in response to the attack.
According to the Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian assault began at 8:00 a.m. Moscow time, involving approximately 300 soldiers, 11 tanks, and more than 20 armored combat vehicles.
The focus of the attack was on the border villages of Nikolaevo-Darino and Oleshnya, both of which are situated near the northeastern Ukraine’s Sumy region.
In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that troops defending the border, in conjunction with military units of the FSB border force, are actively repelling the attacks and inflicting damage on the advancing enemy forces.
The ministry asserted that defensive operations are ongoing to stabilize the situation and prevent further incursions.
Alexei Smirnov, the acting Governor of the Kursk region, confirmed the casualties resulting from the Ukrainian attack.
He noted that three individuals were killed: one woman during the attempted border breach and two others who lost their lives when their vehicles were struck by separate drone attacks.
Smirnov added that earlier in the day, Russian border guards and soldiers successfully thwarted attempts to breach the districts of Sudzha and Korenevo.
“The situation in the border area remains difficult, but our defenders are successfully working to destroy the enemy,” Smirnov stated on Telegram. His comments highlight the ongoing tension and conflict in the region as Russia grapples with the recent escalation.
The Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council’s Center for Countering Disinformation has accused Russia of fabricating details about the clash.
Andriy Kovalenko, who leads the Ukrainian agency, criticized the Russian claims, stating, “Russia does not control the border.” This accusation suggests a dispute over the authenticity of the reported events and casts doubt on the Russian narrative of the conflict.
This latest incursion is part of a broader pattern of border clashes between Russia and Ukraine.
Armed combatants from Ukraine, including paramilitary groups formed by Russian nationals opposed to the Kremlin, have conducted a series of incursions into Russian border regions over the past year. These attacks have exacerbated the already tense situation along the Russia-Ukraine border.
The ongoing violence underscores the volatile nature of the conflict and the persistent threat of cross-border hostilities.
As the situation evolves, both Russian and Ukrainian authorities are likely to continue their military and diplomatic efforts to manage and mitigate the impact of these incursions on regional stability.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members