Ukrainian forces launch cross-border operation in Russia's Kursk region

Ukrainian forces began a cross-border operation in Russia's Kursk region on 6 August 2024, advancing with armoured units and infantry through several border areas. Russia initially described incursions and fighting, while Ukraine later publicly confirmed the operation and its objectives.

The attack was the largest acknowledged deployment of Ukrainian regular ground forces into internationally recognized Russian territory during the full-scale war. It was distinct from earlier raids claimed by Russian anti-Kremlin groups and from strikes conducted at distance.

Ukraine said the operation sought to create a buffer, disrupt Russian military capacity and gain leverage. Stated goals cannot be presented as completed outcomes. Russia evacuated residents and redeployed forces while fighting continued, and claims about captured territory changed rapidly.

International humanitarian law applies to Ukrainian forces operating in Russia just as it applies elsewhere. Civilian protection and treatment of detainees require incident-specific evidence. Crossing the border did not alter legal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Kursk or Ukraine's sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian regions.

Geolocated imagery, government statements and battlefield reporting establish the start and initial advance. This item records the operation's opening, not its eventual territorial result or strategic success. It avoids using front-line claims as settled maps while recognizing a significant change in the geography of the war.