Russian Forces Retake Territory in Key Counter-Offensive

Russian forces have launched a significant counter-offensive against Ukrainian troops in western Russia, reclaiming several settlements. Major General Apti Alaudinov and pro-Moscow war bloggers confirm the recapture. This follows an extensive Ukrainian invasion of Kursk. Both sides provide limited verified updates on the ongoing conflict.

Russian forces have initiated a substantial counter-offensive against Ukrainian troops who breached western Russia, reclaiming several territories, according to pro-Moscow war bloggers and a senior Russian commander.

In a large-scale attack on Aug. 6, Ukraine invaded Kursk with thousands of troops, drones, and Western-supplied weaponry. Major General Apti Alaudinov, leading Chechnya's Akhmat special forces, reported that Russian forces regained control over around 10 settlements in the Kursk region.

While battlefield reports remain unverified due to reporting restrictions, Russian defence ministry updates provided scant details, and Ukraine has not commented. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claimed control over 100 settlements in Kursk. Pro-Russian military bloggers, including Yuri Podolyaka, noted the counter-offensive's impact in pushing Ukrainian forces east of the Malaya Loknya River.

(With inputs from agencies.)