MOSCOW, Russia – Russia announced on Tuesday that its military forces successfully thwarted an attempt by Ukrainian troops to extend a week-long incursion into the Kursk region.
This escalation comes amid ongoing cross-border operations, with a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman reaffirming that Kyiv has no intentions of occupying Russian territory.
According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, a combination of Russian army units, including fresh reserves, aircraft, drone teams, and artillery forces, intercepted and halted Ukrainian armored mobile groups that were advancing towards the Russian settlements of Obshchy Kolodez, Snagost, Kauchuk, and Alexeyevsky in the Kursk region.
The Russian military’s swift response reportedly prevented Ukrainian forces from gaining a deeper foothold in Russian territory, with the ministry emphasizing that the operation was a defensive measure aimed at protecting Russian land from further incursions.
In contrast, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi clarified Ukraine’s position, stating that the cross-border operation was not intended to seize Russian land but to safeguard Ukrainian citizens from long-range missile strikes originating from the Kursk region.
“Ukraine is not interested in taking the territory of the Kursk region, but we want to protect the lives of our people,” Tykhyi was quoted as saying by local media.
Tykhyi highlighted that Russia has launched more than 2,000 strikes from the Kursk region in recent months, utilizing anti-aircraft missiles, artillery, mortars, drones, 255 glide bombs, and over 100 missiles.
“The purpose of this operation is to preserve the lives of our children, to protect the territory of Ukraine from Russian strikes,” Tykhyi added.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi provided an update on the ongoing operations, stating in a video addressed to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Telegram channel that Ukrainian forces now control 74 settlements in the Kursk region.
“Ukrainian troops have continued to advance, gaining control over 40 square kilometers (15 square miles) of territory in the past 24 hours,” Syrskyi said.
Syrskyi also noted that fierce battles are ongoing along the front line, and despite the high intensity of the fighting, the situation remains under Ukrainian control. “The situation, despite the high price we are paying, remains under control,” he added.
The escalating conflict in the Kursk region underscores the growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as both sides continue to engage in aggressive military maneuvers.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have expressed deep concern over the situation, calling for restraint and renewed efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The Associated Press
