Moscow, Russia – In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia’s Defense Ministry has reported that Ukraine conducted air attacks on the Kursk border region. This incident follows Ukraine’s largest ground incursion into Russian territory since the war began. Russia responded by deploying reserves to repel hundreds of Ukrainian fighters and tanks that had crossed into Russian territory.
Despite the Russian Defense Ministry’s claim that Ukrainian sabotage groups had retreated, independent confirmation is lacking. Initial reports of the attack surfaced on Tuesday, and the situation has been developing over the past 24 hours.
The Ukrainian army attempted to penetrate the Russian border near the city of Suja, as reported by pro-war Russian Telegram channels. These channels indicated that Ukrainian forces managed to occupy several settlements and capture young Russian conscripts during the skirmishes. A military blogger on the scene reported ongoing fighting in the border areas, with Russian troops purportedly destroying more than 20 pieces of Ukrainian military equipment and inflicting significant casualties.
The attacks have resulted in 28 casualties in the Kursk region, predominantly civilians, including ambulance workers. A driver and a paramedic were among those killed, and many others were hospitalized. The acting governor of the region has urged residents to donate blood to support the injured.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, condemned the attacks, labeling them as assaults on civilians. In addition to the ground incursion, two missiles and four Ukrainian UAVs were reportedly shot down over the Kursk region overnight. The Defense Ministry confirmed the destruction of four drones and additional missiles in the morning.
The situation is particularly precarious in the city of Kurchatov, where drones were spotted near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, raising concerns about the facility’s safety.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, wary of further escalations that could have broader implications for regional stability.