Official statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense and international news reports

Russia Repels Ukrainian Offensive in Kursk Region, Downs 61 Drones

Jan 5, 2025, 09:39 AM

Ukrainian forces have launched a new offensive in Russia's Kursk region, specifically targeting areas near the villages of Berdin and Pushkarne. According to reports from Russian defense officials and military sources, Ukrainian troops, including units from the 36th Marine Brigade, advanced with armored vehicles and employed electronic warfare equipment to disrupt Russian drones. Ukrainian forces attempted to push towards Bolshoye Soldatskoye along the 38K-004 highway. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that their forces repelled the attacks, destroying two Ukrainian tanks, a mine-clearing vehicle, and seven armored vehicles. Fighting has been reported in several villages, including Berdin and Novosotnitsky. Additionally, Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 61 Ukrainian drones overnight in regions including Kursk, Rostov, Belgorod, and Bryansk. Russian officials claim that Ukrainian forces attempted to strike Russian territories using US-made ATACMS missiles, which Russia says it intercepted. The situation indicates an escalation in hostilities along the Russia-Ukraine border.