Ukrainian Cross-Border Attacks Intensify: Burnt-Out Russian Military Trucks Found in Kursk Region
A video recently surfaced online, showing a chilling scene of burnt-out Russian military trucks in the Kursk region, southwest Russia. This footage is a stark indicator of Ukraine’s increasingly aggressive cross-border operations, which appear to be inflicting significant damage on Russian forces. The video, which has been shared widely by Russian military bloggers and independent media outlets, was geolocated by CNN to the village of Oktyabrskoye, approximately 8 kilometers east of Rylsk. It shows around a dozen trucks on the roadside, many of which are charred, with some containing what appears to be the bodies of Russian soldiers.
The disturbing video reportedly captures the aftermath of a Ukrainian strike, according to a Russian military blogger. This strike occurred just three days after Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into Russian territory, a move that forced the Kremlin to declare a “federal scale” state of emergency in the region, which had remained relatively untouched by the ongoing conflict until now.
Further insights into the scale and geography of the Ukrainian incursion have been provided by various online platforms. Telegram channels like Belarusian Silovik and Archangel Spetsnaza reported active combat near Korenevo, a town roughly 30 miles northwest of Sudzha, which has become a focal point of Ukrainian operations. Additionally, fighting was reported near Malaya Loknya, approximately 11 miles north of Sudzha, and between the villages of Cherkasskoe Porechnoe and Russkoe Porechnoe, situated 18 miles north of Sudzha. Prominent Russian military blog Rybar noted that the arrival of Russian reinforcements has somewhat stabilized the front lines, although Ukrainian forces have reportedly entered the settlement of Vtoroye Knyazhino on the outskirts of Sudzha.
In a separate development, Ukrainian sources revealed that a recent attack on Lipetsk, a region deeper into Russian territory than Kursk, targeted a military airfield, destroying an ammunition depot containing over 700 guided bombs. This operation, which involved Ukraine’s military, security services, and special operations forces, also led to a massive fire after a powerful explosion, with dozens of fighter jets and helicopters reportedly present at the time.
The escalating tension between the two nations has drawn varied reactions from international observers. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Zelensky, commended the West’s response to Ukraine’s recent military actions, noting that it has been “absolutely calm, balanced, objective,” and rooted in an understanding of international law and the principles of defensive warfare. Podolyak emphasized that much of the global community now views Russia as a legitimate target for Ukrainian operations.
The European Union’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Peter Stanno, affirmed Ukraine’s legal right to defend itself, including the right to strike an aggressor on its own territory. Meanwhile, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller took a more cautious approach, stating that Ukraine must determine its own military tactics.
As Ukraine’s cross-border assaults continue to intensify, the impact on both military personnel and civilians in the affected regions remains a significant concern. Russia’s defense ministry reported on Friday that it intercepted and destroyed 75 drones, including 19 over Lipetsk and several others over Belgorod, Kursk, Bryansk, Voronezh, and Orel regions. Despite these efforts, the situation in the Kursk region and beyond remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation in the ongoing conflict.
