Ukrainian Forces Launch Offensive in Russia’s Kursk Region
Ukrainian forces have initiated a counteroffensive in Russia’s Kursk region, according to a flurry of Telegram reports and Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation spokesman, Andriy Kovalenko. The move was indirectly confirmed by the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, Andriy Yermak, who wrote, "Kaliningrad, good news, Russia is getting what it deserves."
The offensive appears to be underway from the town of Sudzha, currently under Ukrainian control, targeting the direction of Bolshoye Soldatskoe, another town located northeast of Sudzha, closer to Kursk.
Russia’s Defense Ministry acknowledged the offensive, stating that Ukrainian forces launched an unsuccessful counterattack around 9:00 AM near the hamlet of Berdine. The ministry claimed to have destroyed two Ukrainian tanks, a mine-clearing vehicle, and seven armored fighting vehicles.
Russian Telegram channels report the involvement of armored vehicles, mine-clearing machines, and electronic warfare (EW) systems, supposedly effective against Russian drones. The ‘MIG Russia’ channel purports localized Ukrainian military success, with fighting occurring near Berdine, close to Bolshoye Soldatskoe.
Independent verification of the situation in Kursk remain elusive due to ongoing combat operations.
In early August, Ukrainian forces captured parts of the Kursk region following a successful offensive. Subsequent Russian operations reportedly regained around half of that territory, but Ukrainian forces continue to hold Sudzha and approximately 500 square kilometers of land. Recent Telegram posts have suggested preparations for a new assault, possibly timed with the upcoming U.S. presidential inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20.