As clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces entering the Russian mainland continue into their fourth day, fighting between the two sides is intensifying. While the Russian military announced it has deployed special forces to block the Ukrainian advance, the Ukrainian forces continue drone attacks on rear areas, leading to assessments that Russian losses are gradually increasing.
On the 9th (local time), the Russian Ministry of Defense released a statement via Telegram, saying, "We have repelled enemy attempts to conduct operations deep into Russian territory from Kursk," and "In the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces have lost more than 280 personnel, 4 tanks, and 27 armored vehicles. Since the fighting began in Kursk, Ukrainian forces have suffered losses of up to 945 personnel, 12 tanks, and 102 armored vehicles."
Contrary to the announcement of heavy Ukrainian losses, Russia appears concerned about expanding damage as the fighting on its mainland enters the fourth day. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry announced at a meeting regarding the Kursk situation that a federal-level state of emergency would be declared in the area. It is reported that Russian special forces have been deployed to the Kursk region.
Abti Alaudinov, commander of the Akhmat unit of the Chechen Republic, who is on site in Kursk, told TASS news agency, "The situation is quite complicated but not critical," emphasizing, "We are interacting with other Russian military units, building as many fortifications as possible, and rooting out the enemy in multiple locations." The Russian news Telegram channel Shot reported that the Wagner Group mercenary organization also arrived near Sudzha in Kursk and engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces that have entered Russian territory continue to launch drone attacks deep inland, causing ongoing damage within Russia. In Lipetsk Oblast in southwestern Russia, more than 300 km from Kursk, a large number of Ukrainian drones flew in, striking power and military facilities and prompting residents to evacuate.
According to Interfax news agency, Igor Armatov, governor of Lipetsk Oblast, stated on Telegram, "Lipetsk has been subjected to a large-scale drone attack. A state of emergency has been declared, and evacuation orders issued for four villages," adding, "Nine people were injured in the drone attacks, regional energy infrastructure was damaged, and power supply disruptions occurred." The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that overnight, a total of 75 drones were shot down or destroyed: 19 in Lipetsk, 26 in Belgorod, 7 in Kursk, and 13 in the Crimean Peninsula.
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