Ukraine launched a fresh counterattack in Russia's southern border region of Kursk, targeting Russian and North Korean forces stationed there, Ukrainian officials confirmed Sunday. Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, said the surprise attacks were aimed at disrupting Russian operations in several locations within the region. The counterattack follows Ukraine's initial incursion into Kursk in August, during which Ukrainian forces secured and held parts of the territory. In a brief Telegram post, Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, hailed the developments: "Kursk region, good news, Russia is getting what it deserves." The Russian Defense Ministry, through state-run TASS, claimed to have repelled Ukrainian counterattacks aimed at halting a Russian offensive. It reported that Ukrainian forces, including tanks and armored vehicles, were defeated near the village of Berdin, approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The Kursk offensive, launched months earlier, marked the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II. Although Ukraine's forces initially advanced rapidly, the line of control has remained largely static in recent months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Russian and North Korean forces suffered significant losses during battles near Makhnovka, with the Russian army losing up to a battalion of North Korean troops and paratroopers. Ukrainian and Western intelligence estimate that around 11,000 North Korean soldiers are deployed in the region. Unofficial Russian military blogs reported intensified fighting on Sunday, with Ukrainian forces pushing northward toward Berdin and launching offensives from the Sudzha area. Reports also indicated the use of mine clearance trawls, tanks, and electronic warfare systems by Ukraine, which disrupted Russian drone operations. The conflict continues to be a critical focus as Ukrainian forces maintain their hold on portions of Kursk, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's dismissive remarks about the military significance of Ukraine's presence in the region. The renewed fighting comes amid broader geopolitical tensions. Incoming US President Donald Trump has pledged to end the war "in 24 hours," though he has not specified how, and has remained vague on the future of military aid to Ukraine. Zelensky, meanwhile, accused Russia of deploying North Korean troops to the front lines with inadequate protection, leading to heavy losses among them. — CNN
