Ukraine Eyes New Russia Incursion Ahead of Putin’s Victory Day Parade

Ukrainian forces are reported to have launched a new incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region, where Kyiv officials had hoped to gain leverage in peace negotiations.

Russian military Telegram channels reported that Ukrainian troops breached the Russian border near the village of Tetkino.

Newsweek contacted Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry for comment by email.

Why It Matters

The development comes just days after Russia claimed the recapture of the Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a surprise incursion last year.

Kyiv successfully seizing a portion of the region would likely serve as a blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of his May 9 Victory Day parade, where he has been touting his military’s success throughout his full-scale invasion of his neighbor.

What To Know

Russian media outlets reported on Monday that a video has surfaced showing Ukrainian forces attempting an incursion toward the village of Tetkino in Kursk.

The footage—released by the unofficial press service of Russia’s Northern Group of Forces—purportedly shows Ukrainian military vehicles advancing toward the Russian border, before coming under fire from Russian troops.

Euan MacDonald, a Kyiv-based journalist who posts regular updates on the war on X (formerly Twitter), said Ukraine could be vying to seize a sizable chunk of Russian territory ahead of Putin’s annual Victory Day military parade on May 9.

Victory Day is the annual commemoration of Nazi Germany’s defeat during World War II. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory Day celebrations. Putin typically uses the day to show off Russia’s military power and invites foreign leaders to a parade in Red Square in Moscow.

The SHOT Telegram channel, a Russian channel that posts updates on the war, said 250 Ukrainian troops, more than 15 units of heavy equipment and quad bikes were used by Ukraine in the fresh push into Kursk.

Ukraine’s military has denied Russian claims that its military has pushed back all Ukrainian forces from Kursk.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and prominent government officials have previously insinuated that Kursk could be part of possible peace talks. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said during a national TV broadcast in August 2024 that the summer Kursk incursion would serve to boost Kyiv’s position in potential future negotiations with Russia.

Meanwhile, attempts by Washington to broker peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are faltering.

What People Are Saying

Euan MacDonald, a Kyiv-based journalist, said on X: “Using Seym river to protect their left flank, and the Ukraine/Russia border on the right, they could nip off a 50km2 chunk of Russia with a defendable 6 km front in time for fascist Russia’s Victory Day.”

Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said in a statement on Facebook on Monday: “This [Kursk] operation, which has been underway for nine months, has achieved most of its objectives. Thanks to our active operations in the Kursk region, we prevented the Russians from launching an offensive campaign in Sumy and Kharkiv regions. The buffer zone established by Ukraine’s defense forces in the border areas remains relevant today.”

What Happens Next

Trump continues to mediate dialogue with Russia and Ukraine to bring an end to the conflict, but he has said the U.S. could abandon peace talks if the two countries can’t progress toward ending the conflict.