Reports: Russia Launches Counteroffensive in Kursk

Above: Ukrainian military equipment is moved near the border with Russia on August 15, 2024. Image copyright: Kostiantyn Liberov/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

  • Multiple sources, including a Russian general and multiple war bloggers, suggested that Russia has launched a significant counteroffensive effort to retake territory held by Ukraine in Kursk.

  • In an interview with Russian news agency TASS on Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Apty Alaudinov, commander of Russia's Akhmat special forces commando unit, claimed that Russian forces had recaptured 10 settlements in the country's Kursk region — alleging that its troops eliminated Ukrainian forces and equipment in more than a half dozen locations.


The Spin

Pro-Ukraine narrative

A number of pro-Kremlin war bloggers are claiming that its forces are making vast gains in Kursk where a Russian counteroffensive has started. While these gains cannot be confirmed, DeepState, the Ukrainian service, has reported that the situation has concerningly deteriorated.

Pro-Russia narrative

Russia has launched an operation to neutralize invading Ukrainian forces in Kursk. So far, 10 settlements have been recaptured and Russian forces are eliminating significant numbers of Ukrainian manpower and equipment.


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Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO