Russia says Ukraine launches 'counterattack' in Kursk region
The Hindu
Russia reports Ukraine's counterattack in Kursk region, escalating conflict ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to office.
Russia said on Sunday (January 5, 2025) that Ukraine had launched a "counterattack" in the western border region of Kursk, where Kyiv's forces began a shock ground offensive last August.
It was not immediately clear how much Ukraine had advanced in the region, but pro-Kremlin military bloggers reported earlier that a powerful new offensive was under way.
The assault comes at a critical juncture in the nearly three-year conflict, with both sides seeking to boost their negotiating hand ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House on January 20.
"At about 9:00 a.m. Moscow time (0600 GMT), in order to halt the advance of Russian troops in the Kursk direction, the enemy launched a counterattack," the Russian Defence Ministry said.
Ukraine used two tanks, a dozen armoured vehicles and a demolition unit in the assault, which was headed towards the village of Berdin — about 15 km northeast of Sudzha, it added.
"The operation to destroy the Ukrainian army formations continues," it said.
Pro-Kremlin military bloggers admitted the Russian army had come under pressure but said Moscow was fighting back.
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