Ukraine launches surprise operation in Russia's Kursk region
Source: The Guardian
Sun 5 Jan 2025 07.46 EST
Last modified on Sun 5 Jan 2025 19.01 EST
Ukrainian armed forces began a surprise offensive in Russia’s Kursk region on Sunday, in an apparent attempt to regain the initiative on the battlefield before Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House.
Video showed Ukrainian armoured columns advancing across snowy fields towards the village of Bolshoe Soldatskoe, north-east of the Ukrainian-held Russian town of Sudzha. Vehicles could also be seen driving through empty rustic settlements. Ukrainian officials confirmed a substantial operation was taking place. Russian military bloggers reported fierce fighting.
Ukraine’s general staff said 42 combat clashes took place on Sunday in the Kursk area, with 12 continuing. There were unconfirmed reports Ukrainian troops had entered the Russian hamlets of Berdin and Novosotnitskii. Overnight Ukrainian sappers removed mines. Extensive electronic countermeasures were used to knock out some Russian drones.
Ukraine launched a significant cross-border raid nearly six months ago into the Kursk region. It was the first time enemy tanks had penetrated Russian territory since the second world war and was a major embarrassment for the Kremlin. Since then Russia’s army has been attempting to evict Ukrainian forces. It has had some success – recapturing about 40% of lost territory – but has been unable to push them out fully.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/05/ukraine-launches-surprise-operation-in-kursk-region-according-to-reports
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