Ukraine's Basic Employees refuted claims by President Vladimir Putin that Russian troops had launched an offensive into Ukraine from Kursk Oblast, spokesperson Dmytro Lykhovyi mentioned on Feb. 19.
Putin advised Russian media on Feb. 18 that Russian forces had crossed into Ukrainian territory from Kursk Oblast, a declare Lykhovyi has dismissed as a part of a disinformation marketing campaign.
"Because the starting of the day, 12 fight engagements have been recorded in Kursk Oblast, three of that are nonetheless ongoing, whereas the remaining have been repelled," Lykhovyi mentioned.
Throughout one of many assaults, Russian troops tried to advance towards Ukraine's state border, in line with Lykhovyi.
Ukraine launched a shock cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024, initially capturing about 1,300 sq. kilometers (500 sq. miles) of Russian territory.
Whereas Ukrainian forces have misplaced roughly half of that space, they just lately superior 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) in a brand new offensive.
Over six months of preventing within the area, Russian casualties have reached practically 40,000 personnel, together with over 16,000 killed, Ukraine's Basic Employees reported on Feb. One other 909 have been taken as prisoners of conflict.
Ukraine is probably going wanting to make use of its foothold in Kursk Oblast as leverage in potential peace talks.
Russia's forces in Kursk Oblast have been bolstered by North Korean troops, deployed final fall to assist counter the Ukrainian incursion.
President Volodymyr Zelensky famous that the offensive disrupted Russia's means to hold out large-scale operations in northeastern and southern Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
Leave a Reply