The conflict in Russia’s Kursk region has intensified, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces reporting significant developments. Ukrainian forces claim to have made substantial progress, including the liberation of the village of Borki and the creation of a buffer zone near the city of Sudzha. A Ukrainian soldier interviewed on live TV stated, ‘We’ve progressed quite well, created not only a buffer zone in front of Sudzha, but also behind it, which allows us to move around the city relatively safely’.However, Russian authorities have accused Ukrainian forces of using Western-made rockets, likely from the HIMARS system, to attack civilian targets in the Kursk region. According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, these attacks targeted a bridge over the Seym River in the Glushkovsky district, resulting in its complete destruction and the deaths of volunteers assisting in civilian evacuations. The attack has reportedly left 30 settlements cut off from the rest of the region.Russian forces claim to have captured several Ukrainian military personnel, including an ‘Azov’ fighter, in the Kursk region over the past two days. General-Major Apty Alaudinov, commander of the ‘Akhmat’ special forces, reported that Russian forces managed to destroy five armored vehicles, two trucks, one tank, and one drone on Friday.The humanitarian situation in the region appears to be worsening. The destruction of the bridge over the Seym River has complicated evacuation efforts, with land-based evacuation from part of the Glushkovsky district now impossible. Russian authorities report that over 121,000 people have been evacuated from the Kursk region since the start of the Ukrainian operation.Both sides continue to report military successes and casualties, with conflicting narratives about the progress of the operation. While Ukrainian sources suggest significant advances, Russian media claim that the Ukrainian military is close to a heavy defeat. The situation remains highly volatile, with potential for further escalation.
Key points
- Ukrainian forces claim to have liberated the village of Borki and created a buffer zone near Sudzha in the Kursk region.
- Russia accuses Ukraine of using Western-made rockets (likely HIMARS) to attack civilian targets, including a bridge over the Seym River.
- The humanitarian situation is worsening, with 30 settlements reportedly cut off due to bridge destruction.
- Both sides report military successes and casualties, with conflicting narratives about the progress of the operation.
Contradictions👾Ukrainian sources claim significant advances in the Kursk region, while Russian media suggest that the Ukrainian military is close to a heavy defeat.
👾Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking civilian targets, while Ukraine claims to be creating a buffer zone to protect civilians.
