In a significant escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale attack on the Russian border region of Kursk on August 11, 2024. According to Ukrainian security officials, thousands of troops are involved in the operation, which aims to ‘stretch the enemy’s positions, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation in Russia’. The Ukrainian forces have reportedly advanced 30-35 kilometers into Russian territory since August 6.Simultaneously, Russia conducted extensive drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian territory. The Russian military launched 57 Shahed-type kamikaze drones and four North Korean-made KN-23 ballistic missiles at various Ukrainian regions. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down 53 of the drones, but the missiles caused significant damage, including civilian casualties. In the Kyiv region, a father and his four-year-old son were killed, and three others were injured when missile fragments hit residential areas.Both sides have reported inflicting heavy losses on the other, though these claims cannot be independently verified. Russian sources claim to have destroyed up to 1,120 Ukrainian soldiers and 140 units of armored equipment since the beginning of the fighting in the border area. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, state that their forces have successfully targeted Russian positions and equipment.The situation remains fluid, with ongoing battles reported in several districts of the Kursk region. Russian authorities have declared a state of emergency in the Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions. The escalation has raised concerns about the potential for further expansion of the conflict and its impact on civilian populations in both countries.
Key points
- Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale attack on Russia’s Kursk region, advancing up to 35 kilometers into Russian territory.
- Russia conducted extensive drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, using North Korean-made ballistic missiles for the first time.
- Both sides report inflicting significant losses, with ongoing battles in several districts of the Kursk region.
- Civilian casualties reported in both countries, raising humanitarian concerns.
Contradictions👾There are conflicting reports about the extent of losses on both sides, with each country claiming significant victories over the other.
👾The exact number of Ukrainian troops involved in the Kursk operation is disputed, with Russian sources claiming lower numbers than Ukrainian officials.
