Russia’s defense ministry has announced the recapture of 10 settlements that were taken by Ukrainian forces during a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region last month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Russia had initiated counter-offensive actions, which he claimed were unfolding in line with Ukraine’s strategic plans.
Russian forces, specifically the “Units of the North,” reportedly reclaimed these areas over the span of two days, focusing on the area around Snagost, located on the western flank of the region held by Ukraine since its campaign started on August 6. Maj. Gen. Apti Alaudinov, commander of Chechen special forces, initially confirmed the onset of Russia’s counterattack, highlighting significant casualties within six Ukrainian brigades.
A Ukrainian officer fighting in the Kursk region, speaking anonymously to the BBC, confirmed the tough conditions and acknowledged that the current situation was not in their favor. The Russian counteroffensive appeared to be concentrated west of Sudzha, with heavy clashes reported.
Ukraine’s original offensive in the Kursk region seemed designed to divert Russian forces from their advances in eastern Ukraine. So far, Ukraine claims to have taken control of roughly 1,300 sq km (500 sq miles) of Russian territory. However, despite this diversion, Russian forces continue their advances in eastern Ukraine, nearing the strategically important town of Pokrovsk.
US-based analysts from the Institute for the Study of War emphasized that the scale and potential outcomes of Russia’s counteroffensive remain unclear, cautioning against drawing premature conclusions.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces destroyed several bridges, including three across the River Seym, to slow Russian advances. Nevertheless, reports suggest that Russian forces have managed to cross the river and its tributaries as part of their renewed offensive.
Russian military expert Anatoly Matviychuk reported that over 100 sq km of land had been retaken and claimed that Ukraine’s supply lines were now severely disrupted. Moscow, initially caught off guard by Ukraine’s rapid gains in Kursk last month, has since recalibrated its strategy, according to President Vladimir Putin. He described Ukraine’s incursion as an attempt to destabilize Russian forces and halt their eastern push, particularly in Donbas. Putin argued that Ukraine’s offensive only aided Moscow’s broader objective of capturing Donetsk and Luhansk, the industrial heart of Ukraine.
Russian forces are reportedly closing in on Pokrovsk, with heavy fighting occurring on its outskirts. The Donetsk regional governor confirmed that water supply lines to the town had been cut, though several wells remain available for use. Additionally, an overpass connecting Pokrovsk with Myrnohrad was destroyed.
In separate developments, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported the deaths of three staff members who were delivering aid in the Donetsk region. While Ukraine’s President Zelensky denounced the attack as a Russian war crime, the ICRC refrained from naming the responsible party.
Meanwhile, a Russian drone strike on the northern Ukrainian town of Konotop left 14 people injured. Konotop, a critical hub for Kyiv’s Kursk campaign preparations, also suffered damage to its energy infrastructure, resulting in widespread power outages.