Russians Make Fifth Attempt to Break Through Ukrainian Defense in Kursk Region, Zelenskyy Says

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported that Russian forces have been attempting for five consecutive days to breach Ukrainian defense positions in the Kursk region. Despite the intense fighting, Ukrainian troops continue to hold their ground and counterattack.

Following a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff, Zelenskyy stated that Commander of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi presented an operational update. The situation remains active along the entire frontline, with particularly heavy battles taking place in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions.

Zelenskyy emphasized that, in addition to military updates, the staff meeting included a detailed analysis by the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry and the Foreign Intelligence Service. The analysis focused on identifying the nations and organizations providing military, economic, and political support to Russia, both openly and covertly, in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Zelenskyy underlined the importance of Ukraine and its partners developing strategies to weaken these “criminal alliances.”

On October 12, Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, reported that heavy fighting was ongoing in Russia’s Kursk region. Following partial Ukrainian success in regaining positions, Russian forces resumed sending columns to launch assaults.

Several days earlier, the monitoring group DeepState noted that Russian troops had gained ground on the left flank of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Novoiivka area, prompting Ukrainian artillery and drone units to engage in the battle. According to the group, Russia amassed significant equipment and manpower and is attempting to secure positions near the settlements of Novoiivka and Zelenyi Shlyakh.