Russian leader blames Ukraine for provocation following alleged border incursion

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of executing "another significant provocation" after Russian defence officials reported that approximately 300 Ukrainian soldiers crossed into Russia's Kursk region on August 6.

The incursion involved troops supported by 11 tanks and over 20 armoured combat vehicles, breaching the border near Sudzha, located 10 kilometres (six miles) from the front line, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

The conflict is said to be ongoing, prompting thousands of residents in the region to evacuate. Ukraine has not yet responded to Russia's claims.

In advance of a Security Council meeting in Moscow, Putin condemned Ukrainian forces for "indiscriminate" attacks on civilian structures and homes.

Russian authorities reported that clashes occurred in several villages within Russian territory throughout August 6, followed by Ukrainian airstrikes that resulted in three civilian deaths and continued into the night. Additionally, the Russian sources reported that 24 people, including six children, were injured due to Ukrainian shelling in the border area.

On August 7, Russia's Ministry of Defence asserted that it had thwarted an attempt by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to advance "deep into Russian territory" in the Kursk region and reported that several Ukrainian drones were destroyed overnight.

Despite these claims, multiple air alerts were issued in Kursk, prompting local authorities to advise residents to limit their movements and leading to the cancellation of all public events.

Verified footage posted online by the BBC showed fighter jets flying low over the region on August 6, with smoke rising from various locations on the ground.

Acting regional governor Alexei Smirnov stated that he had updated President Vladimir Putin on the situation, which he described as under control. Smirnov also noted that several thousand people had evacuated from the affected areas and that medical teams from Moscow and St Petersburg were en route to provide assistance.

Kyiv has yet to respond to the reports regarding the events in Kursk.

Ukrainian Colonel Vladislav Seleznyov told the Nexta channel that the attack was a "preventative" measure, given the estimated 75,000 Russian troops amassing near the border. Following a significant Russian incursion into Kharkiv in May, there were concerns about a similar move into the Sumy region further north.

However, with Ukraine capturing several settlements and highways, those plans may have been stalled, at least for now. Military analysts are debating the practicality of such cross-border raids, given the strain on Ukrainian forces.

This is not the first instance of Ukrainian-based fighters crossing into Russia. Previous raids by anti-Kremlin Russian groups last year were repelled, and incursions into the Belgorod and Kursk regions occurred again in March, leading to clashes with Russian security forces.