Ukraine has mounted an aggressive and audacious counterattack onthe southern Russian border region of Kursk, a step Ukrainian officials are now describing as a retaliation against Moscow’s military campaign. Center for Countering Disinformation head Andrii Kovalenko confirmed that surprising raids took place in a number of key locations in the Kursk region by Ukrainian forces. This is an intensification of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Andriy Yermak stated that the victors of the assaults were “good news”-“Russia is receiving what it is due.” His statement comes almost three months of continuous war along the border, and in early August, Kiev had won nearly all of that territory in the Kursk region, cutting Russia’s military abilities there by several hundred percent. Forces from Kyiv were also able to repelNorth Korean troops, who had been deployed in the area as part of a new defence pact signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.
Russia Repels Ukrainian Attack
In retaliation, Russia‘s Defence Ministry said Ukraine unleashed targeted strikes against Russian forces in a bid to slow their advance.TASS has reported that Russia successfully repelled the attack by Ukrainian forces, destroying two tanks and twelve armoured vehicles in the village of Berdin, 15 kilometres from the border.
Russia‘s military also used airpower in several areas, especially against the advancing Ukrainian forces. A blog associated with Russia‘s Northern Group of forces reported that their units were actively pushing forward, and hostilities continued in the Sudzha district. Reports also included small arms fire as part of the skirmishes.
The latest Ukrainian offensive is not only militarily important but also historically significant. The Kursk region has now been the site of the first ground invasion of Russian territory by foreign forces since World War II. This rare event took both Russia and the West by surprise as Ukrainian troops advanced swiftly before Russia began to regroup and push back.
Heavy Losses and Continued Conflict
Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported heavy losses for Russia near the village of Makhnovka, where Ukrainian forces successfully defeated a battalion of North Korean soldiers and Russian paratroopers. A battalion is usually several hundred troops. Meanwhile, Russia reported some gains in Eastern Ukraine, particularly around Kurakhove in the Donetsk region. Russian forces have managed to push further into Ukrainian-held territories in the area.
Despite the advancements in Donetsk, Kursk remains a critical concern for Russia. In a recent year-end news conference, Putin acknowledged ongoing battles in the region but remained unsure about the timeline for recapturing it. He commented that he saw no military sense in Ukraine’s decision to enter and hold Kursk, criticising the losses Ukrainian forces were incurring as they faced fierce Russian resistance.
As the war enters a new year, the situation in Kursk remains fluid, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces engaged in intense combat. While Ukrainian forces continue to make strategic gains, Russia is focused on reclaiming territory and halting the momentum of Ukraine’s counteroffensive. The Kursk border, now a symbol of this protracted conflict, is likely to remain a focal point of military activity as both sides brace for more challenges in the coming months.
