Ukrainian Troops Advance in Southern Russia

In a significant development, Ukraine has established a military command office in the occupied region of Kursk, signaling intentions for a long-term presence in the area. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top general, announced that Ukrainian forces now control 686 square miles of the southern Russian border region and are continuing their advance. The newly formed command office, led by Major General Eduard Moskalyov, aims to maintain order and address the needs of the local population, according to Syrskyi's statement on Telegram. This move comes as a surprise to Moscow, which has been focused on making incremental gains in eastern Ukraine, where it currently occupies 18 percent of the country. Syrskyi emphasized the importance of legislative guarantees for Ukrainian soldiers involved in operations like the one in Kursk, ensuring they receive all necessary payments and benefits associated with frontline service. Amid escalating tensions, Russia has claimed to have destroyed a British Challenger-2 tank that was part of Ukraine's incursion into Kursk. A video circulating on social media shows the tank being struck by a Russian Lancet-3 kamikaze drone, resulting in a significant explosion. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict and the advanced military tactics being employed by both sides. As Ukraine intensifies its operations, this marks the most substantial cross-border attack on Russian territory since World War II, further straining relations between the East and West and raising concerns over potential nuclear threats from the Kremlin.