Ukrainian forces have gained control of approximately 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of Russian territory in the Kursk region, marking the deepest Ukrainian incursion into Russia.
The surprise offensive has resulted in Ukrainian forces capturing dozens of Russian villages, with fierce fighting ongoing as Russian troops scramble to respond. The acting head of the Kursk region, Aleksey Smirnov, reported that Ukrainian troops had taken control of 28 settlements, advancing up to 12 kilometers across a 40-kilometer-wide front. This operation, led by Ukrainian military commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi, represents a significant shift in the conflict, pushing the battle into Russian territory.
Ukrainian forces have fully captured the center of Sudzha, the administrative capital of Sudzhansky District in Kursk Oblast, Russia. pic.twitter.com/yIA2Cemlvs
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 12, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to “kick the enemy out” of Russian lands, asserting that the Ukrainian incursion is an attempt to gain leverage in potential future peace negotiations. In a meeting with top security and defense officials, Putin claimed that the Ukrainian assault aimed to provoke public unrest in Russia but insisted that it had failed to do so. He ordered the Russian Ministry of Defense to expel Ukrainian forces from the region and to ensure the protection of Russia’s borders.
The Ukrainian advance has triggered widespread evacuations, with more than 121,000 residents from the Kursk region already fleeing their homes. In the neighboring Belgorod region, similar evacuations are underway, with local officials relocating thousands of residents to safer areas.
The Ukrainian military has published a video in which they remove the Russian flag from the “administrative building” in Daryin in Kursk Region – earlier it was reported that the AFU had occupied this settlement
The video was published by the fighters from the 225th Separate… pic.twitter.com/vi6Wdzpj21
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 12, 2024
Satellite imagery analyzed by BBC indicates that Russia is constructing new defensive lines near critical infrastructure, including the Kursk nuclear power plant.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the operation, praising his troops for their “steadfastness and decisive actions.” He also hinted at providing humanitarian assistance in the region, although specific details were not provided.
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