Ukrainian troops have remained in Russia’s western Kursk region as their surprise attack continues into its fourth day. The Russian Defense Ministry reports ongoing efforts to repel the Ukrainian forces, claiming that more than 280 Ukrainian personnel have been lost in the past 24 hours. This number has not been independently confirmed.
Reports indicate that Ukrainian troops are now operating over 10 km (6 miles) inside Russia, marking the deepest incursion by Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. While Ukraine has not officially acknowledged the incursion, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Moscow must face consequences for its actions.
The fighting has come close to a nuclear power plant, prompting the UN nuclear agency to urge both sides to “exercise maximum restraint.” Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has called for measures to prevent any nuclear accidents with serious consequences.
Some residents of Kursk have been evacuated, with a group arriving at Moscow’s central train station on Friday. One evacuee described the situation as “terrible” due to ongoing bombings.
Overnight, Ukraine reported striking a military airfield deep within Russia, destroying a warehouse with hundreds of glide bombs. This attack on the Lipetsk air base, located over 350 km (217 miles) from Ukraine’s border, targeted equipment used by Russia in its invasion.
Russian authorities confirmed a state of emergency in the area, describing “detonations” at an “energy infrastructure facility.” Nearby villages are being evacuated.
In retaliation, Russia struck a shopping center in Kostyantynivka, Ukraine, killing at least 14 people and injuring 43. The attack also damaged residential buildings, shops, and vehicles.
Since the Ukrainian offensive began, the Russian Defense Ministry has claimed to be suppressing enemy raids. However, a BBC Verify video shows a damaged and abandoned Russian convoy, with some soldiers possibly injured or dead.
A “federal state of emergency” has been declared in Kursk, reflecting the severity of the situation. Russia reported that up to 1,000 Ukrainian troops, with tanks and armored vehicles, entered Kursk at the start of the offensive.
This is a significant and sustained assault, surprising Russia’s military and Kremlin. For the past 18 months, Russia has been setting the pace of the conflict, but now it faces the challenge of containing this attack while dealing with domestic criticism.
Despite concerns of escalation, Ukraine’s allies view this operation as part of Ukraine’s right to defend itself. President Zelensky has stated that Russia should face the consequences of its actions, though Ukrainian forces are still outnumbered.
The Russian Ruble fell 2.5% against the dollar on Friday, with traders citing the Kursk offensive as a contributing factor to the decline.