Ukrainian forces has made a large incursion into Russia’s Kursk region last Tuesday, capturing over two dozen settlements in the largest attack on Russian soil since World War II. Russia claimed to have repelled new attacks in Kursk on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian military chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, announced on Monday that his troops controlled approximately 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory.
An analysis by the Institute for the Study of War confirmed that at least 800 square kilometers were under Ukrainian control as of Monday.
Over 120,000 people have fled the area due to the conflict. Ukraine’s foreign ministry spokesman, Georgiy Tykhy, stated that Kyiv is not interested in occupying Russian territory and justified Ukraine’s actions as “absolutely legitimate.” He warned that Ukrainian raids into Russia would continue until a “just peace” is restored.
Ukraine has imposed movement restrictions in a 20-kilometer zone along the border with Kursk region due to increased hostilities and sabotage activities.
Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have thwarted new Ukrainian attacks in Kursk, while President Vladimir Putin vowed to “dislodge” Ukrainian troops.
Putin accused Ukraine of seeking to “sow discord” and “destroy the unity and cohesion of Russian society.” He also believed Ukraine aimed to improve its negotiating position for future talks with Moscow. Regional governor Alexei Smirnov reported that Ukrainian forces had penetrated up to 12 kilometers into the region, creating a new front 40 kilometers wide.
A Ukrainian security official revealed that the operation involved thousands of troops and aimed to “stretch the positions of the enemy, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation in Russia.” The official stated that Ukraine’s goal was to exploit Russia’s inability to protect its own border.
