Ukraine puts ‘pressure on the aggressor’, catches Russia off-guard in Kursk

Medics provide assistance in a vehicle near a mobile medical station, which was opened by volunteers to treat wounded Russian military personnel and local residents, following an incursion of Ukrainian troops in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Kursk region [Anatoliy Zhdanov/Kommersant Photo via Reuters]

Ukraine’s armed forces tore into southwestern Russia in a surprise attack during the past week, claiming almost as much territory as Russian forces have taken in Ukraine since the beginning of the year.

Oleksandr Syrskii, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, claimed Kyiv’s forces controlled about 1,000sq km (386sq miles) in Russia’s Kursk region on Monday, six days into the offensive.