The attack, which took place on Tuesday, saw Ukrainian troops advancing deep into the Kursk region, to the north of Kharkiv, penetrating over 30 kilometers inside Russian territory. Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted a gas metering station in the town of Sudzha, a crucial point for the transit of Russian gas to southern Europe.
The ambush reportedly caused significant damage to a Russian convoy on the E38 highway near Oktyabrskoe, leaving destroyed vehicles and casualties in its wake. Russian sources report that the assault involved approximately 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers, supported by tanks, armored vehicles, drones, and artillery.
The incursion marks one of the deepest penetrations by Ukrainian forces into Russian territory since the start of the conflict.
Analysts have compared the attack to the early days of the war when Ukrainian troops employed hit-and-run tactics against Russian forces near Kyiv.
This sudden and unexpected maneuver has placed considerable pressure on the Russian military, which has since begun transferring additional forces, including Grad rockets, artillery, and tanks, to the Kursk region in an effort to contain the situation.
Russia reacts
In response to the incursion, Russian authorities have introduced a "counter-terrorism operation regime" in the regions of Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk, all of which share a border with Ukraine.
The federal emergency grants authorities the power to implement special measures and temporary restrictions.
These include the potential forced relocation of residents, restrictions on transportation, enhanced protection of critical infrastructure, and the use of wiretaps.
