Russia-Ukraine war live: Kyiv’s Kursk incursion continues as it targets Russia with drones
Russian authorities are scrambling to bring the situation in Kursk under control, a week after Ukrainian forces launched a surprise attack in the region that has left a swathe of Russian territory under Kyiv’s control.
Russia used missiles, drones and airstrikes on Tuesday in an attempt to claw back territory, with one senior commander claiming Kyiv’s advance was over, even as the evacuation of residents from border areas continued.
“The uncontrolled ride of the enemy has already been halted,” said Gen Apti Alaudinov, the commander of Akhmat, a Chechen special forces unit. “The enemy is already aware that the blitzkrieg that it planned did not work out.”
Ukrainian forces were still in control of numerous settlements, however, leaving the Kremlin attempting to play down the significance of the events.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry said Kyiv had no interest in the long-term occupation of the region. “Unlike Russia, Ukraine does not need other people’s property. Ukraine is not interested in taking the territory of the Kursk region, but we want to protect the lives of our people,” Heorhii Tykhyi told reporters in Kyiv.
