As of August 2024, Ukrainian forces have made a significant incursion into Russian territory, specifically in the Kursk region. On August 6, several battalions of Ukraine’s 22nd Mechanized Brigade, reinforced by special forces and air defense units, crossed the Russian border near the city of Sudzha. This operation marked one of the most substantial cross-border incursions by Ukrainian regular forces since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2022.

The Ukrainian troops advanced up to 10 kilometers (about 6.2 miles) into Russian territory within two days, capturing several settlements in the Sudzhansky District. Their progress was initially met with weak resistance from Russian border guards and local territorial defense units, who lacked significant armored support. In response, Russia launched airstrikes and missile attacks to halt the Ukrainian advance, but these efforts were only partially successful.

The Ukrainian forces managed to capture key infrastructure, including the “Sudzha” border checkpoint and a gas metering station vital for Russia’s pipeline to Europe. The operation has led to a state of emergency in the Kursk region, and Russian reserves have been mobilized to counter the advance. This incursion represents a major escalation in the conflict, as it is the first such large-scale operation conducted primarily by Ukrainian regular forces deep inside Russian territory