Ukrainian troops ignite fire in Kursk region as they advance against Russia

Russia continued its attack on Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces entered Russia’s Kursk border region. In Sumy, a Russian missile caused a fire injuring two people and damaging cars and buildings, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. The attack involved an Iskander-K cruise missile and an aerial bomb. Ukrainian air force reported shooting down 14 Russian drones overnight, including over Kyiv.
In Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops are deployed since August 6, fighting persisted to divert Russia’s military focus from Ukraine’s front line. Ukrainian forces claimed to have taken over Sudzha, the largest town captured since the incursion began. Journalists saw damage caused by artillery fire in the area, including a statue of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin.
Russian military blogger Alexander Kots noted Ukrainian pressure in Kursk remains strong. Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Ukraine destroyed a bridge in the Glushkovsky district using U.S.-made HIMARS rockets, affecting Russian supply routes. The destruction of bridges could slow down supply deliveries but not halt them entirely.
The invasion has led to the evacuation of over 120,000 civilians in Russia, causing panic among residents in the Kursk region. Approximately 10,000 evacuees, including 3,000 children, were housed in temporary accommodation centers across the country. Ukrainian forces captured Russian troops during their advance.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended Ukrainian soldiers for capturing Russian military personnel and noted the replenishment of the country’s “exchange fund” used for negotiations to bring back Ukrainian prisoners of war.