Under the parameters of this operation, security forces and military units are granted extensive emergency powers
MOSCOW: In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia has initiated a “counter-terror operation” in three border regions adjoining Ukraine. This response follows what Moscow describes as Kyiv’s largest cross-border offensive since the conflict began two and a half years ago.
On Tuesday morning, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise attack into Russia’s western Kursk region, advancing several kilometers beyond the border. This assault marks a significant intensification of the conflict, prompting Russia to mobilize additional military resources. According to independent analysts, the Ukrainian units have made substantial progress, leading Russia to deploy extra troops, tanks, rocket launchers, and aviation units to halt their advance.
The Russian National Antiterrorism Committee announced late Friday that counter-terror operations would commence in the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions. The committee cited the need to ensure civilian safety and counter the threat posed by Ukrainian “sabotage groups.” Under the parameters of this operation, security forces and military units are granted extensive emergency powers. These include restrictions on movement, vehicle requisitioning, phone surveillance, the establishment of no-go zones, and increased security at critical infrastructure sites.
The committee labeled Ukraine’s incursion as an “unprecedented attempt to destabilize” Russian territory, describing the offensive as a “terrorist attack” that has resulted in civilian casualties and significant damage to residential buildings. The committee’s statement reflects a heightened sense of urgency and severity regarding the situation. Ukrainian leaders have not commented extensively on the operation. U.S. officials, Ukraine’s key ally, confirmed they were not informed of the planned offensive in advance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has, however, framed the offensive as a necessary response to Russia’s ongoing aggression, asserting that Russia must “feel” the repercussions of its actions.
In response to the attacks, Russia’s defense ministry released footage of tank crews engaging Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region and conducting overnight air strikes. The Russian military has announced further deployments to reinforce its defenses along the border. The ongoing developments underscore the escalating nature of the conflict, with both sides engaged in a high-stakes confrontation. The Russian counter-terror operation highlights the deepening complexities of the conflict and the increasing intensity of military engagements on both sides.
#RussiaUkraineConflict, #CounterTerrorOperation, #KurskRegion, #UkraineOffensive, #BorderConflict, #MilitaryEscalation, #RussianDefense, #CrossBorderAttack, #ZelenskyyResponse, #HighStakesConfrontation,
