On Wednesday, Russia reported fierce combat against Ukrainian troops that have infiltrated Russia’s Kursk region, marking one of the biggest invasions into Russian territory since the Ukraine conflict broke out in February 2022. After Ukraine’s unsuccessful counteroffensive in 2023, Russia has managed to seize 420 square kilometres of land since June 14, as reported by Sergei Shoigu, the chairman of Russia’s security council.
Ukraine retaliated on Tuesday, igniting battles that spilled over into Wednesday as Ukrainian troops pushed northwest from the border town Sudzha, situated 530km southwest of Moscow, according to Russia’s defence department. The Ministry of Defence stated that skirmishes against Ukrainian battalions persists in areas of Kursk that are closely linked to the Russo-Ukrainian boundary.
With aid from air strikes, missile forces, artillery and proactive defence units along the Kursk border, the suggested advancement of Ukraine deep into the Russian Federation has been thwarted. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the fall of 50 Ukrainian armoured vehicles, comprising of seven tanks, eight armoured carriers, three infantry combat vehicles, and 31 armoured warfare vehicles.
Sudzha, the last existing transshipment point for Russia’s gas supplies destined for Europe via Ukraine, sits precariously close to Russia’s Kursk nuclear power site, just 60km northeast. While Ukraine remains silent about the situation, Russia introduces reserves to fortify its defensive lines.
The clashes near Sudzha are a critical turning point in the war. As Ukraine bemoans the loss of its territories, there are increasing worries in Kyiv that support from the US might dwindle if Donald Trump becomes victorious in the impending November elections. Trump has expressed his intention to terminate the war, thus both Russia and Ukraine are eager to establish dominance on the battleground to negotiate favourable terms, while preventing further onslaughts on Russian forces. A show of force on either side could significantly influence Western attitudes towards the conflict.
On Tuesday, Mr Shoigu suggested that opportunities for peace were dwindling, and that the delay by Kyiv in discussing conditions would make the peace process increasingly costly for the Ukrainians. Reports have come in from Russian military bloggers of intense conflicts, with suggestions of a new front opened by Ukraine.
According to influential pro-Russian military blogger of Ukrainian origin, Yuri Podolyaka, the combat is going to be intense and protracted. “The conclusion isn’t in sight,” he warned. Mr Podolyaka went on to say “Even if the adversary doesn’t manage to penetrate [guarantees aren’t given at this time], expect vast amounts of artillery and drone strikes.”
Alexei Smirnov, who currently governs the Kursk region, reported that they were hit with rocket and drone strikes the previous night, advising residents to seek refuge away from windowed areas. “With the border area situation deteriorating, we see a surge in blood donations to healthcare facilities,” Mr Smirnov disclosed. He said a mobile blood donation station has been set up in Kursk, a city with historical significance as the site of the largest land battle ever during World War II.
Both Kyiv and Moscow maintained that their offensives are not directed at civilians, but recorded civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are extensive. Mr Smirnov reported a Ukrainian attack drone striking an ambulance outside a town, claiming the lives of the driver and a medic, and injuring a doctor.
A high-ranking Orthodox clergyman reported that Ukrainian bombardment has caused a cathedral and several other structures in a large monastery outside Sudzha to catch fire, though luckily no injuries were reported. Arms-bearing groups professing to be voluntary Ukraine-aligned militiamen had infiltrated sections of Belgorod and the Kursk region this year, provoking an aggressive response from Russian forces to establish a buffer zone in the northeastern part of Ukraine. – Reuters
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