Incursion into Russia’s Kursk region: A risky gamble for Ukraine?

Sébastian SEIBT

9 August 2024 at 11:37 am·1-min read

Russia on Friday raised the emergency level in the Kursk region to “federal” as Ukraine pressed on with a major cross-border incursion. Launched on Tuesday, Kyiv’s offensive is the most significant attack on enemy soil since the Ukraine war started in 2022 and could prove to be either very profitable or very costly.

Russia declared a "federal-level" emergency in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine on Friday and rushed reinforcements to the area as Kyiv pressed on with a major cross-border incursion. The brazen offensive is the most significant Ukrainian attack on Russian soil since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion, and could prove to be either very profitable for Kyiv or very costly.

Ukraine’s army was battling Russian forces behind enemy lines for a fourth day on Friday, after its troops stormed across the border in a surprise attack on Tuesday.

More than one thousand soldiers along with some thirty tanks and armoured vehicles from Ukraine's Sumy region north of Kharkiv are thought to have crossed the border into Russia’s Kursk region on Tuesday.

Australian Associated Press
Roglic poised to win fourth Vuelta, Dunbar wins stage
Australia's Ben O'Connor is now two minutes and two seconds behind race leader Primoz Roglic going into the final stage of the Vuelta.
Australian Associated Press
Aussies Thompson and Purcell win US Open doubles crown
Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell are the first all-Australian duo to win the US Open men's doubles title since Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in 1996.
Australian Associated Press
Emissions blowout flagged if coal, gas extended: govt
Australia's emissions could blow out by an additional 1.7 billion tonnes should coal and gas be extended, government analysis has found.
Australian Associated Press
Senator renews calls for AI ban in election campaigning
Independent Senator David Pocock has renewed calls for urgent legislation to ban generative AI in election material.
Australian Associated Press
Fight to keep deadly avian influenza strain at bay
Australia's biosecurity measures are being stress tested over the global outbreak of deadly strain of avian influenza.
Australian Associated Press
Why rivals' messages made James Fisher-Harris emotional
He's known as one of the NRL's toughest customers but even James Fisher-Harris has his emotional moments.
Australian Associated Press
Ciraldo adamant Bulldogs' woes can be easily fixed
Canterbury have endured their two worst weeks of the season on the eve of the NRL's finals, but coach Cameron Ciraldo is adamant things can be turned around.
Australian Associated Press
Green shoots for consumer mood burnt by cost-of-living
Confidence is gradually returning to consumers, with interest rate hikes broadly off the table and tax relief helping to beat the blues.
Australian Associated Press
Green stars as Australia limber up for England with win
Australia have beaten Scotland by six wickets in Edinburgh to wrap up their T20 series 3-0 as they prepare to face England next week.
Australian Associated Press
Letter perfect as Turner roars to Paralympic gold
James Turner will leave Paris a gold medallist in the 100m and 400m (T36) and he says coach Iryna Dvoskina's daily letters of motivation have helped him shine.
Australian Associated Press
Alex Winwood falls short in bid for boxing history
Australian Alex Winwood has lost by unanimous decision to WBA minimum-weight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong in a thrilling bout in Perth.
Australian Associated Press
Blues booted after Lions' first-half Gabba blitz
Carlton took nearly a half to score a point before briefly threatening the Lions in what became a 28-point Brisbane elimination final victory at the Gabba.
Australian Associated Press
Kayak king Curtis McGrath clinches golden hat-trick
Curtis McGrath has led a 1-2-3 medal attack for Australia in Paris, with the former soldier winning his third consecutive KL2 200m gold.
Australian Associated Press
Panthers book home final with nervy win over Gold Coast
Penrith have secured second spot on the NRL ladder with a surprisingly hard-fought win over 14th-placed Gold Coast at Penrith Park.
Australian Associated Press
US Open finalist Sinner given rest time from Davis Cup
World No.1 Jannik Sinner, who will battle American Taylor Fritz for the US Open singles title, has been rested from Italy's Davis Cup Finals group stage.
Australian Associated Press
Swans home in on prelim final with gutsy win over GWS
Sydney have booked a home preliminary final thanks to an Isaac Heeney masterclass and a late Joel Amartey goal in their six-point win over AFL rivals GWS.
Australian Associated Press
Thousands to protest in France after Macron anoints PM
Left-wing parties have accused President Emmanuel Macron of stealing France's elections after he appointed the centre-right's Michel Barnier as prime minister.
Australian Associated Press
Trump looks to excite white, small-town rural base
Donald Trump is hoping to solidify support among his rural, white working-class base with a rally in the battleground state of Wisconsin.
Australian Associated Press
Cowboys punish Bulldogs to rope in a home NRL final
North Queensland have put in their best performance of the 2024 NRL season to book in a home final, rolling through Canterbury's middle and flogging them 44-6.
Australian Associated Press
Pope urges fair go for workers in resource-rich PNG
Pope Francis has called for sustainable development of Papua New Guinea's resources as he appeals for an end to tribal violence and a Bougainville resolution.

Latest stories