In a stunning military maneuver, Ukrainian troops have crossed the Russian border into the Kursk region, taking Russian soldiers captive and advancing despite Moscow's state of emergency.
Ukraine's daring cross-border invasion of Russia has entered its third day, with Ukrainian forces continuing to push north into the Kursk region after capturing a key military checkpoint. Footage released by Ukraine's defense ministry shows dozens of Russian soldiers surrendering to their Ukrainian captors.
Open-source reporting indicates that Ukrainian troops have seized the Sudzha gas distribution station, ensuring the continued flow of natural gas from Russia to Europe. Pro-Russian military bloggers acknowledge that Ukrainian forces continue to expand their assault across the region.
Ukraine's Surprise Invasion of Russia: Troops Capture POWs, Advance in Kursk Region
Despite allegedly taking heavy losses, Ukrainian troops have captured a key military checkpoint and the Sudzha gas distribution station. Images and reports have confirmed the evacuation of Russian civilians from the Kursk region, with estimates ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 civilians fleeing the fighting.
Moscow has not confirmed the seizure of the Sudzha distribution station and reportedly called the assault a "major provocation." However, on-the-ground information suggests that Russian forces have not stopped Ukraine's advances, as claimed by Army Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russia's chief of the general staff.
Ukraine's Surprise Invasion of Russia: Troops Capture POWs, Advance in Kursk Region
Pro-Russian blogger Yuri Podolyaka acknowledged that "Sudzha is basically lost to us," while others have reported that Ukrainian forces are pushing north towards the Russian town of Lgov, a settlement just 20 miles from the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.
Some reports suggest that Ukraine may have its sights set on the power plant, although it remains unclear how Kyiv would hold the plant or the territory it could gain. It is also uncertain what types of losses Ukrainian forces have endured in Russia.
Ukraine's Surprise Invasion of Russia: Troops Capture POWs, Advance in Kursk Region
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not commented on the operation in Russia, while the White House has stated that "nothing has changed about our policy with respect to enabling or encouraging strikes or attacks inside Russia." However, the Biden administration has loosened its opposition to Ukraine hitting strategic targets inside Russia using U.S.-supplied weaponry if they "target imminent threats just across the border."
This cross-border invasion marks one of the largest surprise attacks on Russia since the war began over two years ago and demonstrates Ukraine's willingness to push the conflict into Russian territory. It remains to be seen what Russia's response will be and what impact this bold move will have on the trajectory of the war.
Ukraine's Surprise Invasion of Russia: Troops Capture POWs, Advance in Kursk Region
