Ukrainian forces have initiated a significant cross-border operation into Russia’s southwestern Kursk region, with intense fighting reported for a second consecutive day. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the incursion as a “large-scale provocation” and convened an emergency meeting with top defense and security officials to address the situation.
Putin accused Ukrainian forces of indiscriminately shelling civilian targets, including residential buildings and ambulances. He directed the Cabinet to coordinate assistance to the Kursk region. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that up to 300 Ukrainian troops, supported by tanks and more than 20 armored vehicles, launched the attack early Tuesday morning. The ministry reported that Russian forces were actively repelling the incursion with artillery, aviation, and drones. According to Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, approximately 100 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, and more than 200 wounded in the ongoing battles.
Russian military bloggers, including the influential “Rybar” Telegram channel run by former Defense Ministry press officer Mikhail Zvinchuk, reported that Ukrainian forces had captured several settlements within the Kursk region. The pro-Kremlin military blog “Two Majors” claimed that Ukrainian troops had advanced up to 9 miles into the region. These sources provided detailed maps and updates on the situation, corroborating some of the Defense Ministry’s claims but also indicating that the Ukrainian advance was more significant than initially reported by official channels.
The Ukrainian advance reportedly reached up to 8 kilometers into Russian territory, capturing strategic points such as the Sudzha gas metering station, which plays a crucial role in gas transit to Europe. Ukrainian air defense systems have been concentrated near the border, effectively limiting Russian aerial operations and forcing aircraft to fly at lower, less effective altitudes.
1/ Russian milbloggers are furious at the failure of Russia’s Ministry of Defence to protect the Kursk region border from the current large-scale Ukrainian incursion. They call the situation there “hell on earth”.pic.twitter.com/OyXMCwZqDN
— ChrisO_wiki (@ChrisO_wiki) August 7, 2024
Videos and images circulating on social media depict dozens of Russian soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. Reports suggest that well over 100 Russian soldiers have surrendered.
Footage of Russian soldiers surrendering collectively in Kursk region. https://t.co/s40dclJzgI pic.twitter.com/MMG38XZm7d
— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 7, 2024
Prominent Russian military bloggers have expressed outrage at the Russian Ministry of Defense for failing to anticipate the Ukrainian attack. The pro-Wagner channel “Alex Parker Returns” criticized the Chechen Akhmat unit, assigned to border defense, for allegedly failing to perform their duties and hiding behind conscripts. Anastasia Kashevarova, a prominent commentator, noted that intelligence about Ukrainian troop movements and preparations had been reported, but higher-ups failed to act. Ravreba echoed these sentiments, sarcastically criticizing the lack of fortified defenses and preparedness, highlighting the inadequacy of the border security measures.
The lack of effective defenses on the border has been a common theme among critics. Kashevarova pointed out the absence of substantial border fortifications and the reliance on inadequate defenses. Rabreva similarly criticized the failure to bring local military forces to combat readiness, conduct continuous exercises, and strengthen the border. Veterans’ Notes, another channel, accused field commanders of lying to the General Staff about the true state of manpower and reserves.
Sudzha, Kursk Special Operation Zone, today. Video from Russian channels. pic.twitter.com/Hp6SClq1Bm
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) August 7, 2024
The acting governor of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, reported that five civilians have been killed, and at least 24 were wounded. Smirnov has called for blood donations and stated that emergency services are on high alert. Civilians from the border town of Sudzha have been evacuated due to the fighting.
Despite the heavy combat, Ukrainian officials have not commented on the operation, maintaining a silence about its scope and objectives. This reticence contrasts with the detailed reports from Russian sources, adding to the difficulty of independently verifying the claims made by both sides.
The incursion represents one of the largest cross-border operations by Ukrainian forces since the war began. Analysts suggest that this move may be aimed at diverting Russian military resources from the eastern front, where Russian forces have been making gradual advances. George Barros of the Institute for the Study of War noted that while the operation could draw Russian reserves away from other fronts, its long-term strategic impact remains uncertain given the overall scale of the conflict.
Putin has vowed a decisive response, while the Russian military continues to reinforce its positions in the Kursk region. Pro-Kremlin sources and military bloggers have emphasized the severity of the situation, with some suggesting that Ukrainian forces were able to establish a foothold deeper within Russian territory than initially acknowledged by official reports.
The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War and open-source intelligence monitors have noted the challenges in confirming the various claims made by Russian and Ukrainian sources.
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