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Ukraine renews attack on Russia's Kursk region | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Ukraine first launched its incursion into Russia's Kursk region in August (file photo taken in September) | Ukraine first launched its incursion into Russia's Kursk region in August (file photo taken in September) |
Fierce fighting is under way for a second day in Russia's Kursk region after Ukraine launched a counter-attack on Sunday. | |
Moscow said it had met the attack with artillery and air power, and on Monday stated that Russian troops thwarted a breakthrough attempt by Ukraine. | |
The BBC was not immediately able to verify the Russian claims. Ukraine has not yet officially commented on its operations in Kursk. | |
However, on Sunday the head of Ukraine's presidential office, Andriy Yermak, said there "was good news from Kursk Region" and that Russia was "getting what it deserves". | |
Ukrainian forces entered the region of Kursk in August, seizing a chunk of territory. Russian forces have pushed them back in some areas without managing to eject them entirely. | |
According to the Russian defence ministry, a Ukrainian assault detachment consisting of two tanks, one military engineering vehicle and 12 armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) attacked near the village of Berdin around 09:00 (06:00 GMT) on Sunday. | According to the Russian defence ministry, a Ukrainian assault detachment consisting of two tanks, one military engineering vehicle and 12 armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) attacked near the village of Berdin around 09:00 (06:00 GMT) on Sunday. |
Russian forces hit back, it said, destroying both tanks, the military engineering vehicle and seven armoured fighting vehicles. Fighting continued, it added. | Russian forces hit back, it said, destroying both tanks, the military engineering vehicle and seven armoured fighting vehicles. Fighting continued, it added. |
Aerial video of a column of armour moving through snow-covered countryside in daylight and coming under fire, with vehicles taking hits, was published by Russian state news agency Ria. | Aerial video of a column of armour moving through snow-covered countryside in daylight and coming under fire, with vehicles taking hits, was published by Russian state news agency Ria. |
Ukraine's top counter-disinformation official Andriy Kovalenko said in a Telegram, external post: "The Russians in Kursk are experiencing great anxiety because they were attacked from several directions and it came as a surprise to them." | |
Oner Russian blogger, Yury Podolyaka, suggested the operation might have been diversionary, while another, Alexander Kots, did not rule out that the main attack could be launched somewhere else. | Oner Russian blogger, Yury Podolyaka, suggested the operation might have been diversionary, while another, Alexander Kots, did not rule out that the main attack could be launched somewhere else. |
Kyiv's forces are reportedly suffering from manpower shortages and have been losing ground in the east of Ukraine in recent months, as Russian troops advance. | Kyiv's forces are reportedly suffering from manpower shortages and have been losing ground in the east of Ukraine in recent months, as Russian troops advance. |
In November, Ukraine reported its troops had engaged in combat with North Korean troops in the Kursk region. | In November, Ukraine reported its troops had engaged in combat with North Korean troops in the Kursk region. |
The reported appearance of North Korean soldiers was in response to a surprise attack launched across the border by Ukrainian troops in August, advancing up to 18 miles (30km) into Russian land. | The reported appearance of North Korean soldiers was in response to a surprise attack launched across the border by Ukrainian troops in August, advancing up to 18 miles (30km) into Russian land. |
Moscow evacuated almost 200,000 people from areas along the border and President Vladimir Putin condemned the Ukrainian offensive as a "major provocation". | Moscow evacuated almost 200,000 people from areas along the border and President Vladimir Putin condemned the Ukrainian offensive as a "major provocation". |
After a fortnight, Ukraine's top commander claimed to control more than 1,200 sq km of Russian territory and 93 villages. | After a fortnight, Ukraine's top commander claimed to control more than 1,200 sq km of Russian territory and 93 villages. |
Some of that territory has been regained by Russia. | Some of that territory has been regained by Russia. |
At the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that security guarantees leading to an end to the war would only be effective if the US under Donald Trump provided them. | |
During a podcast interview with Lex Fridman, Zelensky praised the incoming US president's influence and suggested Trump had the leverage to at least halt Russia's continued invasion. | |
Trump pledged during his election campaign to end the war quickly, without giving details. | |
Zelensky said "Trump and I will come to an agreement and... offer strong security guarantees, together with Europe, and then we can talk to the Russians". | |
But on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine needed to have a "realistic" position on territorial issues and warned there would be no "quick and easy" solution to the conflict. |