- Fighting in Kursk Continues
After the incursion of Ukrainian troops into the Russian region of Kursk, fighting continues in numerous settlements. Russian military bloggers spoke of a restless night and attempts by Ukrainian forces to continue a "blitzkrieg". There have been no further reports from Ukraine about the operation that began on Tuesday.
The Russian Ministry of Defense published another video in the morning, supposedly showing an increase in military presence in the region. The footage showed tanks taking up combat positions to destroy Ukrainian troops. The authenticity of the footage could not be independently verified. The ministry also reported numerous intercepted Ukrainian drone attacks in the Kursk area.
"At the moment, the situation has stabilized," wrote military blogger Alexander Chartschenko in a situation report published on the Telegram channel Rybar. Russian units are advancing. "Sudzha is secure, and the command is making every effort to cleanse the city of the enemy," he reported, referring to a town in the Kursk region near the Ukrainian border. "If the enemy does not suddenly deploy significant forces elsewhere, one can say that the peak of the crisis has been overcome."
Three zones for anti-terror operations for harsher measures
In the early hours of Saturday, the Russian leadership declared the regions of Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod special zones for anti-terror operations. This expands the powers of the Ministry of Defense and other parts of the security apparatus for harsher measures. Military bloggers had already called for this step after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
An unverified video circulating on social media appears to show men in uniform with a Ukrainian flag in the village of Poros in the Russian region of Belgorod, just a few kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Kremlin-critical media described this as a possible diversionary maneuver by Ukrainian forces. There have been no official statements on this matter. Last year, after massive attacks from the Ukrainian side, residents had already abandoned entire villages near the border.
According to an assessment by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington, the Russian Ministry of Defense continues to try to avoid withdrawing troops from the front in Ukraine to reinforce units in Kursk. Russia has also recently expanded the protection of the Kursk nuclear power plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned of possible dangers. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called on both sides to adhere to the rules for nuclear safety in conflict zones.
The Commission, in response to the expanded powers for harsher measures in the special zones of Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod, will need to consider adopting the implementing acts referred to in Article 11 (2) to provide necessary support or regulations. With the increased tensions and military operations, it is crucial for both parties to adhere to international nuclear safety rules to avoid any potential dangers.
