In August, a strong Ukrainian force eventually numbering around 20,000 troops invaded Kursk Oblast in western Russia, aiming to draw Russian forces away from the front line in eastern Ukraine while also seizing part of the oblast as a bargaining chip for any future ceasefire negotiations.

Russia's defence ministry said Ukrainian troops attempted a counterattack on Thursday in Russia's western Kursk region but were repelled by Russian forces. The ministry said Ukrainian troops and armoured vehicles had launched several waves of attacks near the villages of Ulanok and Cherkasskaya Konopelka,