Ukrainian soldiers have removed Russian flags as they continue their incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, which has been ongoing for the past week. According to the Ukrainian military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, assault troops have made significant progress in some parts of Kursk, advancing two miles. Additionally, Ukrainian troops have captured over 100 Russian soldiers, who are expected to be exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners of war.
The surprise attack on Russian soil that began on August 6 has caused a stir in the Kremlin. Military analysts believe that as many as 10,000 Ukrainian troops, supported by armour and artillery, are involved in the daring Kursk operation, making it the largest attack on Russia since World War II. The goal of the operation is to prevent Russia from launching missiles into Ukraine from Kursk, according to a Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman.
As a result of the incursion, the Belgorod border region has declared a regional emergency due to heavy shelling from Ukrainian forces. The situation in Belgorod was described as “extremely difficult and tense” by the governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, with homes destroyed and civilian casualties reported. Efforts are being made to evacuate children to safe areas, with about 5,000 children currently in camps.
The Ukrainian military claims to control 74 settlements in the Kursk region, while Russian officials state that over 100,000 people have been evacuated, mostly from Kursk. Videos from Ukrainian journalists show the aftermath of the incursion in Suja, Russia, with Ukrainian soldiers removing Russian flags from buildings. The situation has put pressure on Russia to decide whether to divert troops from the Donetsk region to defend Kursk or maintain focus on the primary war goal of achieving a breakthrough in Donetsk.
Overall, the ongoing incursion into the Kursk region by Ukrainian forces has escalated tensions between the two countries, leading to a regional emergency in Belgorod and significant progress in the advance of Ukrainian troops. The situation remains fluid, with the outcome uncertain as both sides continue to engage in conflict.
