Russian Forces Thwart Ukrainian Border Incursion: Civilians Caught in Crossfire

Russian forces have repelled a Ukrainian attempt to breach the border, resulting in a difficult situation and civilian casualties. The acting head of the Kursk region reported massive shelling from Ukraine and the deaths of two civilians. Journalistic verification of reports is pending.

Russian forces thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to breach the border on Tuesday, resulting in a difficult situation and the deaths of two civilians, according to the regional governor.

Acting head of Russia's southern Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, stated that soldiers and Federal Security Service (FSB) border forces repelled the Ukrainian attack. Russian media reported that the FSB described the situation as an armed 'provocation' by Ukraine, with no comment from the Ukrainian side.

The MASH Telegram channel, which has ties to Russian state security, claimed about 100 Ukrainian fighters tried to enter Russia in the Sudzha area of Kursk. Smirnov reported that villages suffered 'massive shelling' from Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of a female civilian in Sudzha and a man in a minibus near Nekhaevka, hit by a drone. Across the region, 13 people were wounded.

'The situation in the border area remains difficult, but our defenders are successfully working to destroy the enemy,' Smirnov said. Reuters could not independently verify these reports. Regions near the Ukrainian border, particularly Belgorod and Kursk, have faced frequent Ukrainian shelling and occasional incursions by anti-Kremlin Russian volunteers fighting for Ukraine.

The governor of Belgorod reported on Tuesday another civilian killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on a village.

(With inputs from agencies.)