Moscow. Russia on Thursday faced a major incursion by Ukrainian troops into the Kursk border region for the third consecutive day, an unexpected setback for Moscow, whose army had had the upper hand since the start of the offensive.
Ukrainian troops entered the Kursk region in southwestern Russia on Tuesday with around 1,000 soldiers and around 20 armoured vehicles and tanks, the Russian military said.
This operation appears to be the most significant border incursion by Ukraine since Russia launched its military offensive in February 2022 against the neighboring former Soviet republic.
Ukraine has not commented directly on the raid, but Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhail Podoliak said Thursday that the operation was a consequence of Russian “aggression” against his country.
“The primary reason for any escalation, any bombing, any military action (…), including within the territory of the Russian Federation such as the Kursk and Belgorod regions, is solely Russian aggression,” Podoliak said in X.
The adviser did not directly claim responsibility for the action.
Without mentioning the Kursk offensive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday: “The more we put pressure on Russia, the more we will lose ground.” […] “the closer we get to peace.”
The Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday that “the operation to destroy Ukrainian army units continues” with shelling, rocket and artillery fire against troops that have breached the border.
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– 2024-08-12 02:52:54
