Ukraine Advances into Russian Territory, Clashes Erupt in Kursk

Intense battles are ongoing between Ukrainian and Russian forces following one of the largest incursions into Russian territory since President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine began.

The unexpected cross-border raid into Russia’s Kursk region has prompted Putin to accuse Kyiv of orchestrating a “major provocation”.

The incursion reportedly commenced on Tuesday morning, with hundreds of Ukrainian troops entering the Kursk region, according to Russia’s Defence Ministry and the region’s governor, Alexei Smirnov. Kyiv has so far remained silent about the specifics of the operation.

Unverified reports from Russian military bloggers suggest that Ukrainian forces have gained a “foothold” in the Kursk region, potentially advancing as far as nine miles (15km) into Russian territory.

Telegram channels affiliated with Russia’s Defence Ministry claim that Ukrainian troops have taken control of three villages in the Sudzha district of Kursk, which borders Ukraine’s Sumy region.

Russian Response

In response to the incursion, President Putin convened a meeting with top defence and security officials on Wednesday, instructing the Cabinet to coordinate assistance for the Kursk region. The conflict zone is approximately 320 miles (500km) from Moscow.

Initial statements from Russian sources indicated that the incursion had been repelled, but by early afternoon on Wednesday, it was acknowledged that the fighting was ongoing.

Army chief of staff Valery Gerasimov reported to Putin via video link that around 100 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and over 200 wounded in the battles, though these figures have not been independently verified.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War has geolocated several abandoned armoured vehicles in the Kursk region.

Concurrently, Russia released images purportedly showing missile strikes against Ukrainian military vehicles that had crossed into Russian territory.

Acting governor Alexei Smirnov announced that civilians were being evacuated from the border area, with 300 people housed in temporary accommodation. Smirnov also called on residents to donate blood due to the recent violence.

Strategic Implications

The incursion appears to be an attempt by Ukraine to divert Russian troops from the fronts in eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donetsk region, which has been a primary focus of recent fighting. Smirnov indicated that Russia had already deployed reservist troops to the Kursk region, describing the situation as “difficult”.

Despite the significant operation, there are concerns that this incursion could stretch Ukraine’s already outmanned troops along the extensive front line, which exceeds 600 miles.

Analysts suggest that even if Russia reallocates reserves to stabilise the new front, the impact may be minimal due to Russia’s vast manpower compared to the relatively small number of Ukrainian forces involved.

However, this bold manoeuvre may boost Ukrainian morale and embarrass the Kremlin at a time when Kyiv’s forces are under intense pressure from Russian attacks. Ukrainian brigades stationed along the border have declined to comment, and official statements from Ukraine’s Defence Ministry and General Staff remain pending.

Broader Conflict

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian forces continue their advance towards Pokrovsk, a strategic hub for Ukraine’s army located around 70km northwest of Donetsk city.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian army reported 42 combat clashes on the Pokrovsk front within a 24-hour period until Wednesday morning, marking the highest number of clashes on any front across Ukraine.

In total, at least 136 combat clashes were recorded across ten fronts, including Siversk and Lyman in the north of Donetsk, and the Kharkiv and Kupiansk fronts in the northeast.

Regional authorities reported that at least three people were killed and 25 injured over the past day, with four additional fatalities reported in the Donetsk region following shelling at lunchtime.

Diplomatic Strains

Diplomatically, Ukraine faced challenges as Niger became the second African country to sever ties with Kyiv, following allegations of Ukraine’s support for a rebel attack last month that killed dozens of Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group.

Ukrainian outlets reported that Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency GUR, had acknowledged Kyiv’s support for Tuareg rebels responsible for the attack on Mali’s border with Algeria. However, Yusov later denied making such statements.

Mali’s decision to cut diplomatic ties two days ago has been described by Ukraine as “short-sighted and hasty”. This diplomatic setback complicates President Volodymyr Zelensky’s efforts to strengthen relations with African nations, a goal he outlined in December 2023.

Despite these challenges, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has been on a diplomatic tour in Africa, meeting with Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera and his Zambian counterpart. Kuleba plans to visit Mauritius later this week to conclude the tour.

EU Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence Amid Kursk Region Developments

In response to recent developments in Russia’s Kursk region, European Commission spokesperson for foreign policy, Peter Stano, asserted that Ukraine is entitled to defend itself, including striking Russian territory if necessary.

Stano’s remarks were made in an interview with Suspilne.

Stano emphasised that under international law, Ukraine holds the legitimate right to self-defence, which extends to launching attacks against an aggressor on their own soil.

“The EU continues to fully support Ukraine’s legitimate right to defend itself against Russian aggression and its efforts to restore sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Stano added.

Read also:

Mali Tuareg Rebels Report Heavy Casualties Among Soldiers and Wagner Mercenaries

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