Moscow – Russia (August 11, 2024) Ukrainian forces have made significant advances into Russian territory, reaching up to 30 kilometers inside the Kursk region. This marks the deepest and most substantial incursion since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Russia’s defense ministry reported that its troops engaged Ukrainian forces near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, as the offensive in Kursk entered its sixth day. Foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Kyiv of “intimidating the peaceful population of Russia.”
In his nightly address, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the operation, describing it as a push into “the aggressor’s territory” and thanking Ukraine’s military. He emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to “restore justice” and maintain pressure on Russia.
A senior Ukrainian official revealed that thousands of troops are involved in the operation, marking it as the largest coordinated attack on Russian soil by Ukrainian conventional forces. The official stated that the aim is to stretch Russian defenses, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation within Russia.
The Russian defense ministry claimed to have thwarted attempts by Ukrainian mobile groups to penetrate deeper into Russian territory. However, it acknowledged engagements near Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, which are about 25 to 30 kilometers from the border.
Ukrainian troops have reportedly captured several settlements in the Kursk region. Videos show them removing Russian flags from buildings in Guevo, and there are reports of intense fighting in Sudzha, a town of about 5,000 people. Ukrainian forces have also filmed their presence at a major gas facility near Sudzha, which continues to operate despite the conflict.
Satellite imagery shows Russia constructing new defensive lines near the Kursk nuclear power plant, with Ukrainian forces reportedly advancing within 50 kilometers of the facility. Russia has evacuated 76,000 people from border areas in Kursk and declared a state of emergency.
In response to the Ukrainian offensive, Russia has escalated its attacks. A missile strike on Kyiv overnight killed a man and his four-year-old son. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 53 of 57 Russian drones and four North Korean-manufactured missiles during the barrage.
The Ukrainian incursion comes after weeks of Russian advances in eastern Ukraine. Analysts suggest that the Kursk attack may be aimed at forcing Russia to redeploy forces from eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has labeled the operation a “major provocation.”
The conflict continues to escalate, with both sides intensifying their military efforts.
