Russian Offensive Against Ukrainian Forces in the Kursk Region

Russian forces have launched a large-scale offensive to retake areas in the western part of Russia’s Kursk region from Ukrainian troops, Russian bloggers and a senior Russian official announced on Saturday (08.03.25). Last summer, Ukrainian forces invaded the Russian Kursk region, seizing portions of land in an unexpected lightning strike, more than two years after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered tens of thousands of soldiers to invade Ukraine. Via Telegram, Deputy General Apti Alautdinov, head of a Chechen unit fighting for Russia in Kursk, stated, “In all directions of the front in Kursk, all units have launched a large-scale attack.” He added, “The enemy is abandoning their positions.” Reuters was unable to verify the situation on the battlefield. The Ukrainian armed forces have not commented so far. Pro-Russian military blogger Two Majors reported today that Russian forces began an offensive in Sutyzha, a city about 9.5 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, stating that the situation for Ukrainian forces there “is nearing critical.” Deputy General Alautdinov declared that Russian airborne divisions, mechanized infantry regiments, and the Ahmat special forces are participating in “fierce battles,” noting that “our side is advancing very well.” According to the Ministry of Defense, Russian forces recaptured three villages in Kursk—Viktorovka, Nikolayevka, and Staraya Sorochina—from Ukrainian forces today. Reuters could not confirm this information through an independent source.