Russia reports Ukrainian breakthrough into Belaya district of Kursk Oblast
A Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group allegedly entered the Belaya district, which borders Sumy Oblast, according to the acting governor of Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Alexei Smirnov, on Telegram on Aug. 11.
The ASTRA Telegram channel reported overnight on Aug. 10 that Russian pro-war commentators initially claimed that Ukrainian Armed Forces had broken through in the Belaya district, but later retracted this information.
In the morning, acting Governor Smirnov confirmed that a Ukrainian sabotage group had entered the Belaya district. He noted that he was in constant contact with representatives from the Russian Ministry of Defense and law enforcement agencies.
Smirnov stated that the Russian military had "managed to stabilize the situation," and that there were currently no military clashes in the Belaya and Oboyan districts. He emphasized the importance of preventing panic, but added that those wishing to voluntarily leave these areas were free to do so.
Kursk Oblast Raid
On Aug. 6, Russian propagandists claimed that Ukrainian forces had allegedly penetrated the Sudzha district of Kursk Oblast. The Russian Ministry of Defense later confirmed fighting in the region. Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov claimed that Ukraine had entered with about 1,000 troops, using Western Stryker armored vehicles, tanks, UAVs, air defense systems, and electronic warfare equipment.
Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on these events.
Russian propaganda outlets claimed on Aug. 8 that fighting in Kursk Oblast was occurring approximately 26 kilometers from the border. The Washington Post, citing “a presidential advisor to Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” reported that Ukraine had allegedly taken control of the Sudzha gas metering station in Kursk Oblast.
On Aug. 9, Kurchatov Mayor Ihor Korpunkov stated that fighting was taking place several dozen kilometers from the city, where the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant is located.
In response to these events, Russia introduced a “counter-terrorism operation” regime in the Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts, including measures like monitoring telephone conversations and other communications.
Politico reported that Germany and other Ukrainian allies had previously been reluctant to allow Kyiv to strike inside Russia, but recent events in Kursk Oblast might change this stance.
A video posted online on Aug. 9 showed more than ten pieces of burnt-out Russian military equipment, mostly trucks, along with the bodies of soldiers. The video’s author claimed it was filmed in the village of Zhovtneve. Russian Z-bloggers also reported an attack on a military convoy at the time of the alleged Ukrainian army strike.
The BBC Verify service later confirmed that the video of the destroyed Russian convoy was indeed filmed near the village of Zhovtneve, close to Rylsk.
On Aug. 10, Censor.net editor-in-chief Yuriy Butusov, citing the Khorne Group unit of the 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade, reported that the defeated Russian column had suffered 490 killed in action.
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