Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted a drone control center in Russia’s Kursk region over the weekend, as reports suggest new cross-border engagements are underway.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the strike occurred near the village of Tyotkino, located in the western part of Kursk. In a separate incident, officials in Russia said that a power substation in the town of Rylsk was damaged, causing outages. The substation’s transformers were hit, and two teenagers were reportedly injured by shrapnel, the region’s acting governor, Alexander Khinshtein, shared on Telegram.
The renewed tensions follow Ukraine’s initial surprise incursion into the Kursk region in August 2024. Although Moscow claimed in April 2025 that it had reestablished full control over the area, Kyiv maintains that its forces continue operations on Russian soil.
Unverified reports from Russian military bloggers claim that Ukrainian troops once again attempted to cross into the area, posting images of vehicles allegedly breaching tank barriers at the border. These bloggers reported that on Monday, Ukrainian units launched missile strikes and advanced across minefields using specialized clearance and armored vehicles.
“During the night, bridges were destroyed by rocket fire, and armored units attacked in the morning,” one account, RVvoenkor, stated via Reuters. “Clearance vehicles began opening paths through the minefields, followed by troop-carrying armor. Fierce fighting is ongoing at the frontier.”
Ukraine’s military confirmed on Monday that its troops still maintain a presence in Russia’s Kursk region, nine months after the initial operation began.
Some Russian sources have also released maps showing what appear to be Ukrainian advances toward Tyotkino from two separate directions, suggesting a broader maneuver.
Meanwhile, on the Ukrainian side of the border, authorities in Sumy—located roughly 12 kilometers from Tyotkino—called for evacuations in two communities, according to Reuters. Ukraine’s original thrust into Kursk was intended to create a buffer zone to shield Sumy and surrounding areas, as well as to gain leverage for future negotiations.
