Russia Claims Kursk Counterattack Pushing Back Ukrainian Forces

A senior Russian military commander has made unverified claims that Moscow's forces have pushed back Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk oblast, retaking 10 settlements. Major General Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Chechen special forces Akhmat unit, claimed in a Telegram post that "As far as I know, (Russian soldiers) have already recaptured several settlements". Ukraine has not commented on the claims. The Kursk campaign is believed to have dealt a billion dollar hitto the Russian economy, as well as denting President Vladimir Putin's image as a bulwark against external threats.

• The Kyiv Independent reports that "The Ukrainian crowd-sourced monitoring group DeepState also reported that the "situation on the left (western) flank of Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast has worsened." "Russians began active assault operations, ferrying armoured vehicles across the Seim River and other smaller rivers." Ukraine was previously targeting bridges and pontoon crossings across the Seim River..."
• The claims of a Russian counterattack come as Putin's forcesclose in on the Ukrainian town of Pokvorvk in the Donbas, seen as an important strategic asset given its transport links and role as a hub for troops being ferried to and from the frontline.
• The deteriorating situation for Ukraine's forces comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visit Kyiv for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian president is set to maintain his call for the US in particular to approve the launching of long-range missiles at targets in Russia.