Video: Russia Initiates Operation to Stop Ukrainian Advance

On Saturday, Moscow initiated operations in three border regions adjacent to Ukraine, responding to Kyiv’s most substantial cross-border assault since the conflict began over two years ago.

Early on Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise attack into Russia’s Kursk region, making significant advances, as reported by independent analysts. In response, Russia has mobilized additional troops and military resources, including tank convoys, rocket launchers, and aviation units, although detailed information on the size of the forces involved remains undisclosed by either side.

The conflict has led to the evacuation of at least 3,000 civilians from the affected Russian border regions, with emergency aid and medical supplies being dispatched to these areas. Additional train services to Moscow have also been arranged to accommodate those seeking to escape the conflict zone.

A woman, while at a Moscow train station, expressed her distress to AFP, stating, “The war has come to us,” but chose to remain anonymous.

The Russian military reported that Ukraine initially sent approximately 1,000 troops, supported by dozens of armored vehicles and tanks, and claims to have significantly reduced the Ukrainian military hardware since then. However, these figures have not been independently verified, and both sides have previously been accused of exaggerating enemy losses and minimizing their own.

Late Friday, Russia’s national anti-terrorism committee announced the commencement of “counter-terror operations” in the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions to protect citizens and prevent potential terrorist activities by enemy sabotage groups. These operations grant security forces extensive emergency powers, including restrictions on movement, vehicle seizure, phone monitoring, and the establishment of no-go zones and checkpoints.

The committee described Ukraine’s actions as an unprecedented attempt to destabilize Russia, labeling the incursion a “terrorist attack” and accusing Ukrainian troops of injuring civilians and damaging homes. The health ministry noted that 55 civilians had been hospitalized, with 12 in serious condition.

Russian media have circulated a video supposedly from residents of Kursk’s Sudzha district, directly impacted by the offensive, pleading with President Vladimir Putin for assistance as many found evacuation challenging.

In retaliation, Russia reportedly conducted a missile strike on a supermarket in Kostyantynivka, eastern Ukraine, killing at least 14 people. The Institute for the Study of War in the U.S. estimated that Ukrainian forces had advanced approximately 13 kilometers into Russian territory, though the exact positioning of the troops remains uncertain.

Ukrainian leadership has not commented extensively on the operation, and the United States, a key ally of Ukraine, indicated it was not informed beforehand of the plans. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, has highlighted the initial successes of the operation, emphasizing that Russia must “feel” the repercussions of its actions since February 2022.

Zelensky also expressed gratitude towards Ukrainian forces for capturing Russian soldiers, which he mentioned contributes significantly to a “replenishment of the exchange fund,” referring to the potential for prisoner swaps.

Reports from Russian military bloggers suggest that several Russian soldiers have been captured by Ukraine, providing a more detailed perspective than official military communications. The Russian defense ministry released footage of tank crews and overnight airstrikes targeting Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region, indicating the deployment of additional units to the border.

Meanwhile, on other fronts, Ukrainian officials reported casualties in the Kharkiv and Kramatorsk regions. The Ukrainian military noted a decrease in combat activities within Ukraine, suggesting that the cross-border operation might be alleviating pressure on other parts of the extensive frontline where Russian forces had been advancing.