Russian forces have taken control of two new villages in the western Kursk region, according to a Russian commander, as the Russian military advances against Ukrainian troops who crossed the border last month. Reuters reports that on August 6, Ukraine launched its largest attack on Russian soil since World War II, crossing the border into the Kursk region with support from drones and heavy weaponry, including Western-made arms.
Strategic Points Captured
Major General Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Chechen special forces “Akhmat” and deputy head of the political-military department of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, announced the capture of Nikolaievo-Darino and Darino villages. These locations are approximately 15 kilometers from the frontlines established by Ukrainian forces in August, providing the Russian military with a key position to strike Sverdlikovo, which Ukrainian troops have used as a logistics hub.
“Our entire front has advanced,” Alaudinov stated, adding that Russian forces are also making progress in eastern Ukraine.
Escalation of the Conflict
Russia, which deployed tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine in 2022, launched a major counteroffensive earlier this month to repel Ukrainian forces from its territory. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine attempted to breach the Russian border in another area to the east, aiming to divert forces from the main offensive front.
As of now, Russia controls approximately 18% of Ukrainian territory and has advanced in the Donetsk region, where it captured the city of Ukrainsk on Tuesday, inching closer to the strategically important city of Pokrovsk.
Ukraine’s Defense Efforts
In response, Ukraine’s air force reported that they had successfully shot down all 42 drones and one of the four missiles launched by Russia during overnight attacks. Air defense systems were activated across nine Ukrainian regions.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Governor Serhii Lysak confirmed that one missile was shot down, with no injuries reported. Meanwhile, in the Kharkiv region, six people were injured during a Russian attack on the city of Kupiansk, located just 8 kilometers from the frontline.
Impact of the Strikes
Russian attacks have caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure. In the city of Kharkiv, a school, kindergarten, and ten apartment buildings were damaged. Additionally, an educational institution in the Cherkasy region was affected by a strike, according to regional Governor Ihor Taburets.
