UKRAINE has launched a fresh offensive in the Kursk region of Russia in what could prove to be a major embarrassment for Vladimir Putin.
The dictator was adamant about removing all Ukrainian forces from Russian territory before this week’s Victory Day celebration, commemorating Germany’s defeat in World War Two.
But after weeks of forcing Ukrainian troops back, Moscow now faces a fresh onslaught.
The offensive comes just days before a three-day truce beginning on May 8 Putin had backed to mark victory over the Nazis.
Kyiv initiated a pincer strategy, deploying mine-clearing vehicles at two border locations to pave the way for armored vehicles carrying paratroopers.
Bridges were demolished as intense battles ensued, with Ukraine striving to recover areas it had lost since the initial Kursk incursion in August last year.
That marked the first time that Russian territory had been occupied by enemy forces since World War Two.
One war blogger said: “There is a heavy battle going on at the border.”
At least 50 Ukrainian soldiers had crossed into Kursk with fighting reported near the villages of Zvannoe and Tetkino, another report said.
Reports said bridges, factories, and administrative buildings were damaged in the attacks.
Russian troops hit back and three people were reported to have died.
Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky said the new offensive had “achieved most of its goals”.
At the peak of the incursion Ukraine held nearly 500sq miles of Russian territory forcing around 130,000 locals to flee.
Putin sent thousands of North Korean soldiers to the region to help push back Ukrainian forces.
He was determined to recapture all of the territory ahead of Friday’s Victory Day celebrations when the traditional Red Square parade is held to showcase Moscow’s military might.
After months of fighting Russia declared the campaign a success at the end of last month, saying that the last Ukrainian troops had been expelled – a claim dismissed as “wishful thinking” by Kyiv.
Putin has announced that Victory Day will be accompanied by a three-day ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he doesn’t trust Russia to observe it and added: “We understand who we are dealing with, we do not believe them.”
There was supposed to a ceasefire over Easter but that quickly fell apart.
Putin critics reckon he has only called the ceasefire to protect world leaders who are attending the celebrations, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Exiled oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky said: “It is not intended to save lives. It’s goal is to shield the May celebrations, entice foreign guests to Moscow and show the world a picture of a ‘stable Russia’.”
Meanwhile, nervous neighbours on Russia’s borders are boosting defence spending.
Lithuania declared it was planning to spend almost £1bn fortifying its border with Russia and Belarus, including buying anti-tank mines.
The Nato member’s defence ministry said the increased spending would “block and slow down the actions of hostile states”.
