Key Points
- Russia says Ukraine has launched a "counterattack" in the western border region of Kursk.
- Ukraine first launched its incursion into Russia's Kursk region in August last year.
- It's unclear whether the offensive will lead to any significant changes on the front line.
Ukraine has launched a "counterattack" in Russia's western Kursk region, according to the Russian defence ministry.
Ukrainian troops broke across the border into Kursk , and for the past five months have resisted Russian attempts to expel them.
The assault comes at a critical juncture in the nearly three-year conflict, with both sides seeking to strengthen their negotiating hand ahead of United States president-elect
"At about 9am Moscow time (5pm AEST), in order to halt the advance of Russian troops in the Kursk direction, the enemy launched a counterattack," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement posted on Telegram.
Ukraine used two tanks, a dozen armoured vehicles and a demolition unit in the assault, which was headed towards the village of Berdin, about 15km north-east of Sudzha, it said.
It was not immediately clear how much Ukraine had advanced in the region, but pro-Kremlin military bloggers reported earlier that a powerful new offensive was underway.
'Russia is getting what it deserves'
Ukrainian officials gave little detail on the new offensive, which comes almost three years since Russia launched its full-scale military assault on Ukraine.
"Russia is getting what it deserves," Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak said.
The head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, said on Telegram that defence forces were "working" in the area, without elaborating.
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"In the Kursk region, the Russians are very worried because they were attacked from several directions, and it was a surprise for them," Kovalenko said.
Ukraine seized dozens of villages in the Kursk region shortly after its incursion started on 6 August 2024, but its advances stalled after Russia rushed reinforcements to the area, including
Airports shut after drone barrage
Both Russia and Ukraine have exchanged regular attacks since the year began.
On Sunday, Russia said it downed dozens of Ukrainian drones overnight in a barrage that damaged homes and triggered air alerts, while Ukraine said Russia fired 103 drones into its territory.
Four Russian airports briefly suspended traffic early on Sunday for "safety" reasons, forcing at least eight planes to divert course, a spokesperson for Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said.
