In a daring escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian forces have reportedly launched a significant attack on the Russian city of Kursk, marking a bold move in the war that has raged since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The attack on Kursk, a city located close to the Ukrainian border, represents a shift in tactics by Ukraine as it seeks to strike deeper into Russian territory, challenging the Russian military’s ability to protect its cities.

Map of Kursk
Image used with permission of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The Attack on Kursk: What We Know

Details about the attack on Kursk are still emerging. Multiple reports indicate that Ukrainian forces have targeted key military infrastructure in the city, which serves as a crucial hub for Russian logistics and troop movements. The attack appears to have involved a combination of drone strikes and long-range artillery, hitting several strategic locations, including Lipetsk military airbase and a supply depot. The local government evacuated some residents in the region for their safety. Lipetsk airbase was known to house Su-34, Su-34, and MiG-31 aircraft. 

Russian authorities have confirmed the attack but have downplayed its impact, stating that their air defenses intercepted most of the incoming threats and that damage was minimal. However, independent sources and social media reports suggest that the attack was more successful than Russian officials are willing to admit, with significant damage to military facilities and several casualties among Russian personnel.

The Russians responded to the attack by launching a strike on a shopping center in the Ukrainian town of Kostyantynivka. Officials there say it took the lives of 14 and injured 43 others.