Ukraine's Air Force carried out a "precision strike" on Feb. 3 at a Russian command post near the village of Novoivanovka in Kursk Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported.
Kyiv launched a limited incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast on Aug. 6, first capturing about 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. While Ukraine has reportedly lost around half of that territory since then, fighting continues in the region.
The command post, located in an abandoned building, was used to coordinate Russian troops' offensive against the Ukrainian army in the Kursk sector of the front line, the statement read.
The building was severely damaged, and Moscow suffered significant losses among Russian personnel, the General Staff said.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.
Tim Zadorozhnyy
Russia's forces in Kursk Oblast have been bolstered by North Korean troops, deployed last fall to help counter the Ukrainian incursion.
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged that North Korean troops are well-trained and motivated fighters who present a significant challenge to Ukrainian soldiers.
On Jan. 22, Soldiers of the 8th Regiment of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces released footage of them resisting a North Korean assault in Russia’s Kursk Oblast for eight hours before retreating, killing 21 and wounding 40 soldiers.
In a video, a large assault group of purportedly North Korean soldiers is seen crossing an open field and forest, followed by close combat footage with only dozens of meters between the two sides. In the end, graphic footage shows killed soldiers claimed to be North Koreans.
"At the ninth hour of the battle, the Special Operations Forces had only a third of their ammunition left. They spent the rest on destroying (North Korean forces)," the Telegram post read.
The Ukrainian fighters held off the assault with small arms, grenade launchers, and snipers. Eventually, the Ukrainian troops retreated in two Humvees, the post read.
Earlier on Jan. 31, Ukrainian forces struck another command post of Russia's Kursk group of forces in the Russian city of Rylsk.
These attacks are part of Ukraine's broader strategy to weaken Russian operational capabilities by targeting key command centers.
The General Staff has emphasized that such strikes aim to reduce Russia's offensive potential.
Abbey Fenbert
(Updated: )
