Ukrainian Commander Reports Clash with 10,000 Russian Forces in Kursk Region

Approximately 10,000 Russian soldiers are engaged in combat within Russia’s Kursk region. Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed that Ukraine currently holds around 90 square kilometers of territory in the Hlushkov district, stating, “These are our preemptive actions in response to a possible enemy attack.”

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According to the Ukrainian military, this strategic presence in the Kursk region is crucial for inhibiting Russia from deploying significant forces to the eastern Donetsk region, an area that has witnessed some of the most intense fighting since the onset of the full-scale invasion over three years ago.

Mr. Syrskyi’s troops are actively repelling Russian advances along a frontline that spans approximately 1,200 kilometers. The situation remains challenging, as the Ukrainian military continues to face mounting pressure in both the eastern and northern regions of the country.

Despite recent successes in fending off Russian incursions towards the Dnipropetrovsk region, daily challenges persist. The Russian military continues to unleash devastating drone and missile assaults on cities further from the frontline, compelling Ukraine to refine its air defense strategies.

Currently, Ukraine is reportedly neutralizing around 82% of Shahed-type drones launched by Russia. However, there remains a pressing need for additional surface-to-air missile systems to effectively safeguard critical infrastructure and urban areas. “We must enhance our capabilities,” the military stated, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in the face of evolving threats.

In a bid to tackle the overwhelming number of drone assaults—sometimes involving hundreds—Ukraine’s air force is also focusing on developing light aircraft and drone interceptors. Ukraine is leveraging its long-range capabilities to inflict damage on both economic and military targets within Russian territory, thus increasing the costs of warfare for Moscow.

From January to May, Ukraine reported over $1.3 billion in direct damage inflicted upon Russia’s oil refining and fuel production sectors. Additional indirect damages are estimated to exceed $9.5 billion, resulting from disruptions to logistics and forced shutdowns of enterprises. While it remains unclear whether these figures include losses from the operation dubbed “Spider’s Web,” it’s evident that the Ukrainian military’s tactics have been effective.

Looking forward, Commander Syrskyi has pledged to escalate the “scale and depth” of attacks on Russia, insisting that Kyiv will not passively endure Moscow’s prolonged aggression. Despite a stall in diplomatic negotiations—with the last meeting occurring nearly three weeks ago—Ukraine continues to face fierce Russian assaults that have tragically resulted in civilian casualties, including recent fatalities in Kyiv.

“We will not just sit in defense, as this leads to losses of both territory and lives,” stated Syrskyi. “Our strikes on Russian military targets have proven effective, and we are committed to continuing this response.” The commander asserted that Ukraine remains resolute in targeting energy and military infrastructure, often striking hundreds of kilometers from the front lines.

While addressing the battlefield dynamics, Syrskyi admitted that Russia possesses advantages in drone warfare, particularly with their use of sophisticated fiber-optic drones. “Unfortunately, they have the upper hand in both quantity and operational range,” he acknowledged.

Meanwhile, Russia maintains that it has complete control over the Kursk region and disputes Ukraine’s claims of territorial presence. Moscow asserts that it occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukraine and has annexed four Ukrainian regions since the onset of its invasion in 2022, in addition to the annexation of Crimea back in 2014.

Additionally, the Russian army reported the capture of the village of Petrivske in Ukraine’s northeast Kharkiv region. In the latest wave of assaults, at least 47 drones and three missiles were launched at Ukraine by Russian forces, resulting in unfortunate casualties in the eastern Donetsk region, including the tragic death of a 17-year-old boy.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.

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