Fighting escalates in Russia's Kursk Region amidst Ukrainian "incursion"

Fighting in Russia's Kursk region has entered its second day following an incursion by hundreds of Ukrainian troops, reversing President Vladimir Putin's 'invasion onto Russian soil'.

The shelling has resulted in at least five deaths and 28 injuries, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Acting Kursk Governor Alexey Smirnov reported that a Ukrainian drone struck an ambulance, killing the driver and a paramedic. Regional air defenses intercepted four missiles and three drones overnight.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that troops and border guards are engaged with up to 300 Ukrainian soldiers, supported by 11 tanks and over 20 armored vehicles. Artillery and aircraft are targeting Ukrainian positions, and Russia has called up reserve troops to the area. The initial claim that Ukrainian forces had retreated was later removed from official statements.

Ukrainian troops are reportedly still in several border villages and advancing toward Sudzha, a key gas metering station. Gazprom's gas flows via Sudzha have slightly decreased but continue normally. Ukrainian air defenses reported downing 30 Russian Shahed drones overnight.

In Voronezh, Russian officials reported damage from downed Ukrainian drones to 22 apartments, five buildings, and 38 vehicles. The conflict, now in its third year, has seen ongoing strikes on Russian infrastructure and industrial facilities by Ukraine, while anti-Kremlin Russian volunteers have staged cross-border raids. The latest incursion does not involve Ukraine-based Russian volunteers. The front line in Ukraine remains largely stalemated, with no significant territorial changes.