Major Russian Counter-Offensive in Kursk on Day 932 of Ukraine War

On September 10 and 11, Russian forces launched counterattacks in Kursk oblast, reportedly seizing several settlements and pushing Ukrainian troops east of the Malaya Loknya river. The Institute for the Study of War cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about the situation, noting that the scale and implications of these counterattacks remain unclear. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces initiated their own attacks against the Russian advances, indicating a fluid and dynamic battlefield. Maj Gen Apti Alaudinov, commanding Chechen special forces, claimed that Russian troops regained control of approximately 10 settlements in the region. Amidst these developments, a Russian SU-35 fighter jet reportedly crashed in the Black Sea after engaging Ukrainian targets, with conflicting reports about the cause of the crash. Ukraine's foreign minister urged neighboring countries to intercept Russian missiles and drones, highlighting the increasing threat posed by Russian aircraft violating airspace. This call for action coincided with rising hopes that the U.S. would soon permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles against targets within Russia, a significant shift in military strategy. The U.S. Secretary of State hinted at lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied long-range weapons, while British officials indicated a decision had been made to allow the use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles. These developments reflect a broader strategy to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities in response to ongoing Russian aggression, particularly as oil exports remain a critical revenue source for Russia's war efforts.