Putin accuses Ukraine of large-scale provocation in the Kursk region

Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses Ukraine of a "large-scale provocation" after hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers reportedly entered Russia's Kursk region. This incident marks the largest attack on Russian territory since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. During a meeting with government ministers on Wednesday, Putin said that he had summoned defense and security officials to report on developments in the border region. These were his first comments since the invasion began early Tuesday. An unofficial Russian military blogger reported that Ukrainian troops had seized the important transit point Sudzha, through which gas from Ukraine is transported to Europe. This claim could not be independently verified. While Gazprom declined to comment, the Ukrainian gas network operator reported that gas flows to Europe were continuing normally for the time being. The Russian Defense Ministry stated on Telegram on Wednesday that Russian forces were continuing to fight Ukrainian troops in Kursk, supported by airstrikes and artillery, to prevent further advances. It had previously been reported that at least 300 Ukrainian soldiers, supported by tanks and other armored vehicles, had crossed the region. This information was later deleted without explanation. At least five people were killed and 28 others injured, according to the state news agency Tass. The acting governor of Kursk, Alexey Smirnov, spoke of massive attacks on the border area and said that doctors had been dispatched to treat the injured. Military bloggers reported that Ukrainian troops continued to occupy several border villages and were advancing toward Sudzha. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's spokesperson declined to comment on the events in Kursk. The General Staff's press service did not respond to inquiries. Meanwhile, Ukrainian air defense forces reportedly shot down 30 Russian Shahed drones loaded with explosives. As the conflict, now entering its third year, continues, Ukraine is still conducting attacks on Russian infrastructure and industrial facilities to undermine the Kremlin's war effort. The Russian regions of Belgorod and Kursk, which border Ukraine, have repeatedly been targeted by drone and missile attacks. The latest invasion reportedly includes anti-Kremlin Russians based outside of Ukraine. The fighting in Ukraine largely continues along a 1,270-kilometer front line in the east and southeast without significant territorial gains.