Russia accuses Ukraine of launching cross-border attack in Kursk region

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukrainian forces of launching a "large-scale provocation" after Ukrainian troops allegedly crossed the border into Russia's Kursk region. According to Russian officials, up to 230 Ukrainian militants from Ukraine's 22nd mechanised brigade launched the attack on Tuesday, with fighting taking place between the border villages of Nikolayevo-Daryino and Oleshnya. Russian military bloggers and imagery on social media indicate that the incursion was substantial. Putin has stated that Ukrainian forces fired indiscriminately at civilian buildings and residences, and that Russian troops have been fighting off cross-border raids for multiple days. Ukraine has not confirmed the assault on the southwestern Russian region, which sits on the border between the two countries. The incursion would be one of Ukraine's largest since the war began in February 2022. Russian officials have reported that at least five civilians have been killed and 24 wounded since the incursion began, and thousands of local residents have left their homes in the region. Russia has evacuated several thousand people from the Kursk border region.