Russia claims it retook control of 2 settlements in Kursk region

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia on Monday claimed that it retook control of two settlements in the country’s Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a military operation over a month ago.

According to a Russian Defense Ministry statement, troops retook the villages of Uspenovka and Borki, located less than a kilometer and about 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) from the Ukraine border, respectively.

The statement further said that Russian forces repelled five Ukrainian counterattacks near the settlements of Byakhovo, Bolshaya Obukhovka, Viktorovka, Lyubimovka and Malaya Loknya.

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

Kyiv's operation in the Kursk region began on the night of August 5-6, when Ukrainian forces entered the region near the town of Sudzha, 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,” defining 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.