Ukraine launches fresh offensive in Russia’s Kursk region

Ukraine has launched a renewed offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The announcement marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, which has seen both sides trading gains and losses along the border.

In a statement posted on social media, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that Ukrainian forces initiated their attack around 9 a.m. Moscow time on Sunday. The assault reportedly involved two tanks, a counter-obstacle vehicle, and 12 armored fighting vehicles. Russian officials claim efforts to repel the offensive are ongoing.

Russian military bloggers added more context, stating that the attack originated from the Ukrainian base at Sudzha and targeted the villages of Berdin and Bolshoye Soldatskoye, a strategic area leading toward Kursk city. Ukrainian officials, including Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, hinted at progress, describing developments in the Kursk region as “good news.”

Ukraine’s top counter-disinformation official, Andriy Kovalenko, highlighted that the latest offensive in Russia’s Kursk region took Russian forces by surprise, causing significant anxiety due to its multi-directional nature. However, questions remain about the operation’s scale and its potential to alter the frontline dynamics.

Military analysts are split on the offensive’s strategic goals. Some Russian commentators, like Yury Podolyaka, view it as a possible diversionary tactic to draw attention away from another potential target. Others, including Alexander Kots, suggest it may signal preparations for a larger attack in a different region.

The Kursk region has remained a flashpoint since Ukraine’s initial incursion in August of the previous year, when Ukrainian forces advanced up to 18 miles (30 kilometers) into Russian territory. While Russian troops have regained portions of the territory, they have been unable to entirely remove Ukrainian forces from the area. The original incursion prompted Moscow to evacuate nearly 200,000 residents from border zones, with President Vladimir Putin condemning the Ukrainian advance as a “major provocation.”

This renewed offensive underscores the continued volatility in the region, raising concerns about potential escalation as both sides maneuver to gain strategic advantages along the contested border.

The renewed offensive in Kursk comes as Ukraine continues to face challenges elsewhere. Russian forces have reportedly made significant advances in eastern Ukraine, taking advantage of Ukrainian manpower shortages. Meanwhile, Kyiv’s Air Force reported successfully intercepting 61 drones launched by Russia overnight. The intercepted drones targeted multiple regions, including Kyiv, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, and Khmelnytskyy. Although no direct hits were recorded, some drones caused minor damage to residential properties in the Kharkiv region.

The conflict in Kursk has also drawn international attention due to the reported involvement of North Korean troops. In November, Ukraine claimed its forces had engaged North Korean soldiers deployed by Russia in response to the initial Ukrainian incursion.

While the Ukrainian offensive demonstrates Kyiv’s ability to launch surprise operations, it remains uncertain whether this move will lead to significant territorial gains or merely serve as a diversion. As both sides continue to escalate their efforts, the region remains a critical flashpoint in the broader war.