Russia claims it has retaken control of 2 settlements in border region of Kursk

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia on Wednesday claimed it has retaken control of two settlements in the border region of Kursk, where Ukraine launched an incursion in August.

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces recaptured the villages of Darino and Plekhovo, located about 3.6 and 2.5 kilometers (2.2 and 1.5 miles) from the country’s border with Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the claims, and independent verification of Russia’s claims is difficult due to the ongoing war.

Kyiv's offensive in the Kursk region began on the night of Aug. 6, when Ukrainian forces entered the region near Sudzha, located about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the border.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv of carrying out a “large-scale provocation” and “indiscriminate shooting,” describing the incursion as a “terrorist attack.”

Days later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted it was an “operation” by Ukraine’s troops, specifying that the goal is to create a “buffer zone” against cross-border attacks by Russia.​​​​​​​