Ukraine has reportedly launched a new offensive in Russia’s Kursk region in a major embarrassment for Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin was determined to expel all Ukrainian troops from Russian soil ahead of this week’s Victory Day parade.
He declared a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine, starting Thursday and ending Saturday, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the official ceremony on Friday on Moscow’s Red Square.
But Volodymyr Zelensky’s army breached the Russian border Sunday night near the village of Tetkino.
And the Ukrainian President said he does not trust Russia to observe a truce, adding: “We understand who we are dealing with: we do not believe them.”
Russian Telegram channels claimed opposing troops had fired missiles, crossed minefields and smashed through the border.
One war blogger said there was “a heavy battle going on at the border”, with bridges, factories and buildings damaged in the attacks.
Another report said around 50 Ukrainian soldiers crossed into Kursk with fighting reported near the villages of Zvannoe and Tetkino.
We understand who we are dealing with: we do not believe them
Local governor Alexander Khinstein also confirmed that Ukrainian attacks had killed three people in the contested border region.
There was no immediate comment from either Ukraine or Russia.
The surprise development comes days after Moscow recaptured the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a surprise incursion last year.
Oleksandr Syrsky, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, said the new offensive had "achieved most of its goals".
Prominent government officials have previously insinuated that the Kursk region could be part of possible peace talks.
Despite the recent gains, Russia controls a fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea which Russia annexed in 2014.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has sent thousands of North Korean fighters to the southern region to help Russia push back Ukrainian forces.
The retaliations come at a crucial time for Ukraine and Russia, with the latter still demanding territorial concessions.
