Ukrainian armed forces began a surprise offensive in Russia’s Kursk region on Sunday, in an apparent attempt to regain the initiative on the battlefield before Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House.
Video showed Ukrainian armoured columns advancing across snowy fields towards the village of Bolshoe Soldatskoe, north-east of the Ukrainian-held Russian town of Sudzha. Vehicles could also be seen driving through empty rustic settlements.
Ukrainian officials confirmed a substantial operation was taking place. Russian military bloggers reported fierce fighting. Ukraine’s general staff said 42 combat clashes took place on Sunday in the Kursk area, with 12 continuing.