They are at war after all. I really can’t understand anyone being shocked at attacks and counter attacks at this point.
In an unprecedented twist, Russia has accused Ukrainian troops of crossing into its Kursk region, marking what could be the first direct incursion from Ukraine into Russian territory since the conflict began. This bold move ramps up the pressure on Moscow in a region that has largely remained untouched by the brutal two-year war.
The Russian Ministry of Defense, the Russian Investigative Committee, and the Russian Ombudsman for Children all reported that Ukrainian forces launched a “massive attack” on Tuesday, attempting to penetrate Russian defenses in the Kursk region, which lies just north of Ukraine’s Sumy region. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the alleged incursion as a “large-scale provocation,” accusing Kyiv of launching indiscriminate attacks on civilian buildings, residential areas, and even ambulances with various weapons, including missiles.
Ukraine attack on Russia’s #Kursk Region
A 24-year-old pregnant woman died during an evacuation from Sudzha. Her husband reported that their vehicle was shot at by a Ukrainian soldier.
The deceased was Nina Kuznetsova. Yesterday, she was attempting to leave Sudzha with her… pic.twitter.com/kqyq1zaL0H
— Russian Market (@runews) August 7, 2024
Ukrainian officials have remained tight-lipped about the accusations, and independent verification is lacking. The full scope of the attack, including whether Ukrainian forces managed to seize any settlements or inflict significant damage, remains shrouded in mystery. Reports from Russian military bloggers and authorities suggest a coordinated land and air assault near the town of Sudzha, a small settlement about six miles from the border.
The Russian Ministry of Health reported that 31 people, including six children, were injured due to Ukrainian shelling in the region. Sudzha’s mayor, Vitaly Slashchev, described a “very tense” situation, noting a flurry of calls for evacuation. Despite circulating reports, available geolocated videos do not confirm that Ukrainian troops have entered the town. Slashchev had earlier assured that Sudzha was not under Ukrainian control.
Unofficial Russian sources like the Telegram channel Dya Mayora detailed intense resistance from Russian border guards, but noted enemy reconnaissance groups making deeper inroads. Geolocated drone footage revealed heavy shelling in Sudzha and showed about 20 men, reportedly Russian soldiers, who appeared to surrender at a heavily damaged border crossing.
There are several images and videos of dozens of Russian soldiers being captured by Ukrainian Forces 🇺🇦 in the Kursk Region of Russia in the past two days
Well over 100 Russian soldiers are reported to have surrender in Kursk pic.twitter.com/WcT7Coftab
— Ukraine Battle Map (@ukraine_map) August 7, 2024
Aleksey Smirnov, acting governor of the Kursk region, declared an emergency situation starting August 7 to address the aftermath of the alleged incursion. This announcement followed the Russian Ministry of Defense’s initial claim of repelling the attack, which was later amended to acknowledge ongoing clashes and inflicted fire damage.
In response to the heightened threat, the Russian National Guard has bolstered security around a nuclear power plant in the region, located about 50 kilometers north of the conflict zone. The motives behind such an extensive Ukrainian assault are unclear. It could be a strategic diversion to strain Russian resources along the extensive 600-mile frontline or a morale-boosting endeavor amidst adverse conditions on the front.
Ukraine invaded Russia pic.twitter.com/8iYNdKBDAW
— UNLIMITED NEW CONTENTS (@piractu) August 7, 2024
Russian military blogger Rybar reported that Ukrainian forces had seized a critical gas transit station near the border, the only conduit for Russian gas flowing to Europe through Ukraine. If verified, this could have significant ramifications, given the ongoing EU sanctions on Russian gas imports.
This alleged incursion signifies a dramatic shift in the conflict, potentially opening a new front of ground operations by Ukraine within Russian borders. Previous reports of pro-Ukrainian sabotage within Russia have not caused significant damage, and Kyiv has primarily relied on drone and missile strikes rather than ground incursions. The Institute for the Study of War noted geolocated footage of damaged vehicles north of the border but could not confirm their origin.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are making incremental advances toward Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, threatening key supply lines and moving closer to Toretsk and the village of Niu York, further complicating the conflict’s already volatile landscape.
Major Points
- Russia accuses Ukraine of crossing into its Kursk region, alleging a “massive attack” near the border town of Sudzha.
- President Putin condemns the incursion as a “large-scale provocation,” claiming indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas.
- Ukrainian officials remain silent; independent verification of the attack is unavailable.
- Reports suggest heavy clashes, with drone footage showing significant shelling and alleged surrender of Russian soldiers.
- Kursk region declares an emergency; heightened security measures implemented at nearby nuclear power plant.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
