...
By John Feng and Isabel van Brugen
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Ukraine has launched a surprise new cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk region, with battlefield maps showing reported advances.
Ukrainian troops were said to have breached the Russian border near the village of Tetkino late on Sunday and through Monday morning.
Newsweek contacted the Kremlin and Ukraine's defense ministry for comment by email.
Read More on World
Why It Matters
The renewed offensive in Kursk comes just days before Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual May 9 Victory Day parade, an event where he has regularly touted Russia's military successes since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022.
This latest incursion also follows Russia's recent claims of having regained full control of the region, where Ukraine had previously carried out a similar operation last year. It will therefore serve as a major blow to Putin as war casualties mount on both sides.
What To Know
The latest advances into Kursk come nearly a year after Kyiv first sent troops into the region, seizing a swath of territory in an embarrassing setback for Putin.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank, said late on Monday that Russian sources had claimed that Ukrainian forces conducted a series of limited attacks near Tetkino in the Kursk region.
Russian media outlets also reported on Monday that a video had surfaced showing Ukrainian forces attempting an incursion toward Tetkino.
The footage—released by the unofficial press service of Russia's Northern Group of Forces—purportedly shows Ukrainian military vehicles advancing toward the Russian border, before coming under fire from Russian troops.
The SHOT Telegram channel, a Russian channel that posts war updates, said 250 Ukrainian troops, more than 15 units of heavy equipment and quad bikes were used by Ukraine in the fresh push into Kursk.
The ISW noted that Russian milbloggers alleged Ukrainian forces used mine-clearing equipment to carve a path through Russian minefields along the border, but said that Ukrainian forces have not made significant gains in the area thus far.
"Ukrainian forces are attempting to isolate Russian units near Tetkino and throughout Glushkovsky Raion," the ISW said.
Russian authorities have yet to comment on the reported incursion.
What People Are Saying
The Telegram channel "Two Majors" said Monday: "In the morning, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attempted to break through to the settlement of Tetkino with the aim of capturing the settlement, they threw into battle two mine clearing engineering vehicles (IMR), a tank and infantry on a BBM (the tank and IMR have already been destroyed)."
The Telegram channel "Operation Z: War Correspondents of the Russian Spring" said: "Taking advantage of the rainy weather, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are clearing the way, trying to prepare a breakthrough east of Tyotkino—in the Glushkovsky district near the settlement of Novy Put. Mine clearing vehicles continue to make passages in minefields and the line of 'dragon's teeth' in order to throw armored vehicles with paratroopers there. Part of the IMR on the border was destroyed by airborne fire."
What Happens Next
Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said on Monday that Ukraine's Kursk operation "has achieved most of its objectives."
It remains unclear to what extent Ukraine aims to advance in Tetkino.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines