Ukraine has launched a counterattack in the Kursk region, bordering with Russia, with the aim of halting the advance of Russian troops. The assault began early in the morning and included tanks, armored vehicles, and a demolition unit moving towards the village of Berdin. Russian military bloggers reported that a powerful new offensive was underway, marking a critical juncture in the three-year conflict between the two countries. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the counterattack and stated that the operation to destroy the Ukrainian army formations was ongoing.
The Russian army came under pressure from the Ukrainian forces but fought back in response to the counterattack. Influential pro-Russian Telegram channels shared images of Ukrainian armored vehicles driving through the snow in the region. Ukrainian officials did not provide detailed information about the offensive, with one lawmaker urging silence until the operation was over. However, several officials expressed satisfaction at the fightback, with one calling it a deserving response to Russia’s actions. The head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation mentioned that the Russians were taken by surprise by the attack.
Kyiv had previously seized dozens of villages in the Kursk region but faced resistance from Moscow when reinforcements were sent, including troops from North Korea. Control of the Russian border region by Ukraine had decreased, as confirmed by a Ukrainian army source. Ukrainian President Zelensky highlighted the success of the Kursk operation in boosting Kyiv’s negotiating position regarding prisoners of war and diverting Russian troops from the eastern front. However, despite some success, Kyiv struggled to halt Moscow’s advances in Ukraine, which significantly increased in 2024 according to data from the Institute for the Study of War.
Both Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in regular attacks since the beginning of the year, with Russia claiming to have downed dozens of Ukrainian drones that caused damage and triggered air alerts. Kyiv, on the other hand, reported that Russia fired 103 drones into its territory. The conflicts led to the brief suspension of traffic at four Russian airports for safety reasons, causing several planes to divert their course. The tensions between the two countries remain high, with ongoing military confrontations on multiple fronts.
