Russia claimed that Ukrainian troops attempted to break through in Belgorod, its western region bordering Ukraine, but were successfully thwarted. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated that the situation remains difficult but controlled. The Defense Ministry emphasized trusting official sources only.
The ministry reported that despite larger opposing forces, Russian soldiers remained determined and successfully pushed them back. Meanwhile, tensions in the neighboring Kursk region remain high, with Ukraine launching an offensive near the settlement of Malaya Loknya.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned a conversation about F-16 fighter jets and operations in the Kursk region, claiming to have gained more control over the designated areas. The clashes intensified after Ukraine allowed troops into the Kursk region, leading Moscow to believe it was orchestrated by Western powers.
Both countries reported casualties and evacuations. Zelenskyy stated the offensive aimed to establish a buffer zone, while Putin condemned it as a “terrorist attack.”