In a recent statement, the Russian Defense Ministry revealed that it has successfully recaptured two villages previously occupied by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. This announcement follows a surprise incursion by Ukraine into Russian territory on August 6, when the Ukrainian military initiated operations in Kursk. Since that day, Russia has struggled to reclaim lost ground.

According to reports from AFP, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that its forces are “continuing to conduct offensive operations” and have liberated the settlements of Novaya Sorochina and Pokrovsky. Novaya Sorochina is situated near the Ukraine-Russia border, while Pokrovsky lies deeper within Russian territory.

Russian officials emphasized that their troops are “actively engaged in operations to defeat enemy groups” that have infiltrated Kursk, and they reportedly managed to repel Ukrainian attacks near Pokrovsky.

In late August, Ukraine had claimed control over around 100 settlements in the Kursk region, covering about 1,300 square kilometers. By mid-September, the Russian Defense Ministry asserted that it had regained 12 villages; however, shortly after that, a Ukrainian military spokesperson informed AFP that Russia’s counteroffensive to reclaim territory had been “stopped.”

Ukraine has indicated that the objective behind launching this offensive was to create a buffer zone in the Kursk region, aimed at shielding its border areas from further shelling.

In another development, Ukraine also reported today that Russia has launched ballistic missile attacks from Kursk targeting Poltava, a central region in eastern Ukraine.