Kursk officials accuse Ukrainian military of border breach attempt
In the Kursk region, following the intense bombing of Sudzha, there are reports of "breakthrough attempts of Ukraine's armed forces." Unlike previous attacks led by Russian volunteer fighters, this time, it was the Russian authorities who disclosed the events. According to them, fighting is taking place in multiple directions, and there is already "restlessness" in the neighboring Belgorod region.
Acting governor of the Kursk region, Aleksey Smirnov, and local Telegram channels reported that.
Before the Russian reports of a border crossing, the local authorities had already notified the public early in the morning of intense shelling in the border city of Sudzha (Russia), which is situated near the Sumy region (Ukraine).
Acting governor of the Kursk region, Aleksey Smirnov, has reported five people injured and multiple homes heavily damaged.
At the same time, public transport was stopped in Kursk due to the danger of missiles.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported on the alleged shooting down of:
- 13 drones in the Kursk region,
- and 9 in Belgorod region,
However, according to reports from local Telegram channels, not everything is so" calm." Eyewitnesses are complaining about significant destruction in Sudzha and sharing videos on social media.
Following a loud night in the morning, the Russian public began to write en masse about the alleged "breakthrough of Ukraine's armed forces" at the border with Russia in the Kursk region.
One of the propaganda sources even specified the location of the attacks, mentioning Mykolayevo-Daryino and the administrative checkpoint "Sudzha" – Hoholivka. Russian soldiers claim that there is ongoing fighting "in various sectors of the national border."
The Russian Telegram channel Mash has already speculated about a "Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group" reportedly composed of around 100 individuals who allegedly attempted to enter Russian territory at 9 a.m. in the Sudzha district using heavy equipment. It is also claimed that an attempt was made into the Korenevsky district. According to the propagandists, the attempt was unsuccessful.
In the meantime, the local authorities have responded. The acting governor of the Kursk region asserts that the Russian border guards prevented the Ukrainian troops from attempting a "breakthrough."
"Today, information is being received from the Sudzha and Korenevsky districts about attempts by Ukraine's armed forces to break through the Kursk region's territory. However, the Border Service of the Russian Federal Security Service and the Russian Armed Forces successfully prevented the breach," Smirnov writes.
He also warned the Russians that numerous information leaks would allegedly occur soon and urged them not to give in to provocateurs.
However, according to Russian soldiers, "the military is moving towards Goncharovka in the Sudzha district" with heavy equipment. Furthermore, journalists have reported attempts to breach the border in the Belgorod region. However, there is currently no information available on this matter.
So far, Ukraine has not confirmed that the fighting is taking place in the border areas of the Kursk region. RBC-Ukraine requested information from representatives of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, but they have not yet commented on the situation there.
For reference:
Border battles sometimes break out in the Belgorod and Kursk regions of the Russian Federation. They usually involve volunteer units, which consist of Russians and fight on the side of Ukraine's armed forces.
On March 12, 2024, the Free Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps, and the Siberian Battalion broke through the border of the Russian Federation. Then, they entered the border areas of the Kursk and Belgorod regions, forming a "gray zone." The fighting continued for some time. However, the rebels promised that such operations would continue in the future.