Putin humiliated as Ukraine saboteurs launch surprise assault deep ins | World | News
In a dramatic escalation, approximately 300 Ukrainian soldiers launched a surprise cross-border attack into a previously quiet section of the front on Tuesday, reaching as far as six miles (10 km) inside Russian territory, according to Moscow.
Late Tuesday, Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported that the assault, initiated at 8am, was carried out by up to 300 “Ukrainian militants” from Ukraine’s 22nd mechanised brigade. The strike force was bolstered by 11 tanks and more than 20 armored fighting vehicles.
Combat persisted throughout the day between the border villages of Nikolayevo-Daryino and Oleshnya in Russia‘s Kursk region, extending to the outskirts of Sudzha, roughly 10 km from the frontline. The incursion also appears to have destroyed multiple Russian trailers loaded with tanks.
In a humiliating moment for Vladimir Putin, Russian claims of successfully repelling the incursion were quickly proved false. Reports from Russian military bloggers and social media footage indicated the Ukrainian attack was highly significant, though the breadth of its sustainment remains unclear.
The Guardian reports Rybar, a prominent Russian military blogger, detailed that by Tuesday evening, the situation in the Kursk region was tense, with battles ongoing in border districts. “Judging by the latest footage, Ukrainian formations have managed to advance,” Rybar wrote, contrasting Moscow’s initial assertions.
Russia’s defence ministry had earlier stated that after suffering losses, the Ukrainian sabotage group retreated back to their territory. Some fighters attempted to secure a position near the state border but were blocked by Russian army units, according to the statement.
Ukraine‘s political leaders and Ministry of Defence have not yet publicly commented. However, Andrii Kovalenko, head of the anti-disinformation department at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, acknowledged the attack’s occurrence, suggesting it had not been fully defeated. Kovalenko added, “Russian soldiers are lying about the controllability of the situation in the Kursk region. Russia does not control the border.”
Military analysts suggest the attack could aim to divert Russian forces to defend an underactive part of the front since spring 2022 and boost Ukrainian morale. However, critics in Ukraine argue such assaults yield no long-term military advantage. Anti-Kremlin Russian groups similarly launched unsuccessful attacks from Ukraine into Belgorod and Kursk regions in March.
