On Friday, Russia’s Ministry for Emergencies declared a “federal level” emergency in the Kursk region. This decision came after a significant escalation in the conflict, with hundreds of Ukrainian troops crossing the border. This incident marks what appears to be Kyiv’s largest attack on Russian territory since the war began.
Later on Friday, a Russian missile launched from a plane struck a shopping mall in Kostiantynivka, located in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine. The attack caused severe damage, killing at least nine people and injuring 26 others. The mall was situated in a residential area, and thick black smoke was seen rising from the site.
Donetsk regional head Vadym Filashkin condemned the attack as a deliberate act of terror. He reported that the operational situation in Kursk remains challenging, with around 3,000 people having been evacuated from their homes.
Details of the Ukrainian Incursion and Its Impact
The exact objectives of the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk are still unclear, and there is limited reliable information about the operation. Ukrainian officials have not provided specific details, but it is known that the attack is taking place about 500 kilometers southwest of Moscow.
Myhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggested that such attacks might make Russia “realize that the war is creeping inside of Russian territory.” Podolyak also hinted that this strategy could strengthen Ukraine’s position in potential negotiations with Moscow.
As Ukrainian forces continued their push into Kursk, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that they were “repelling the attempted invasion” with airstrikes, artillery, and ground troops. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that Ukrainian forces have made significant advances, moving up to 35 kilometers beyond the border. The lack of a strong Russian response and the rapid Ukrainian progress suggests that the Ukrainian forces achieved operational surprise.
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Ukrainian Drone Attacks on Russia
In addition to the ground conflict, Ukraine has continued to target Russian infrastructure with long-range drones. On Thursday night, Ukrainian drones attacked the Lipetsk region, which is approximately 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
The drones struck a military airfield, which was used to store powerful glide bombs and house fighter jets and helicopters. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 75 Ukrainian drones were shot down during the night, including 19 over Lipetsk.
The ongoing conflict has seen both sides engaging in attacks and counterattacks, with each side taking steps to disrupt the other’s military and strategic capabilities.
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