Ukraine has launched a fresh counteroffensive in Russia’s Kursk region, according to the Russian defense ministry. The ministry reported that Russian forces responded to the attack with artillery and air power. While Ukrainian officials hinted at ongoing operations, Moscow stated that it had engaged the offensive and inflicted losses on Ukrainian forces.
This development follows Ukraine’s August advance into the Kursk region, where its troops seized a portion of territory. Although Russian forces have reclaimed some areas, they have not been able to expel Ukrainian troops entirely.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for strong security guarantees to end the war. During a podcast interview with Lex Fridman, Zelensky praised U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s influence and expressed hope that Trump could leverage his position to halt Russia’s invasion. Trump has pledged to end the war quickly but has not provided specifics. Zelensky said, “Trump and I will come to an agreement and… offer strong security guarantees, together with Europe, and then we can talk to the Russians.”
The Russian defense ministry detailed the offensive near the village of Berdin, where a Ukrainian assault detachment consisting of two tanks, one military engineering vehicle, and 12 armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) launched an attack on Sunday at 09:00 (06:00 GMT). Russian forces claimed to have destroyed both tanks, the engineering vehicle, and seven AFVs during the battle, which they said is ongoing.
Russian state media released aerial footage showing Ukrainian armored vehicles moving through snow-covered terrain before coming under fire, with several vehicles hit.
Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, shared optimism about the operation, saying there was “good news from Kursk Region” and that Russia was “getting what it deserves.” Meanwhile, Ukraine’s top counter-disinformation official, Andriy Kovalenko, noted that Russian forces in Kursk were caught off guard by attacks from multiple directions, leading to significant anxiety.
Russian bloggers offered differing views on the offensive. Yury Podolyaka suggested the operation might have been a diversion, while Alexander Kots speculated that the main attack could occur elsewhere.
Ukraine’s forces have recently faced manpower shortages and territorial losses in the eastern regions as Russian troops have advanced. However, the new offensive in Kursk highlights Kyiv’s continued efforts to regain momentum.
Amid this development, Ukraine’s air force reported another wave of Russian drone attacks overnight. The air force claimed to have intercepted and shot down 61 drones across multiple regions, including Kyiv, Poltava, Sumy, and Kharkiv. While no direct hits were recorded, some houses in Kharkiv sustained damage from intercepted drones.
In November, Ukraine reported clashes with North Korean troops in the Kursk region. The North Korean presence was reportedly a response to Ukraine’s surprise August attack, which pushed up to 18 miles (30 km) into Russian territory. Following the offensive, Moscow evacuated nearly 200,000 residents from border areas, and President Vladimir Putin condemned the incursion as a “major provocation.”
Ukraine’s top commander later claimed control of over 1,200 square kilometers of Russian territory, including 93 villages. While some of that land has since been retaken by Russia, the Kursk offensive underscores the ongoing volatility of the conflict.