Incident Update in the Kursk Region
Four aircraft were reported shot down over the Kursk region on the evening of August 20, according to the Telegram channel of Acting Regional Governor Alexey Smirnov. The briefing attributed the events to air defense units successfully engaging enemy forces in the area.
In the same update, it was stated that two Ukrainian missiles and two aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted by Russian air defense systems over the Kursk region during the evening hours. The official emphasized the ongoing threat in the area and urged residents to remain indoors, seeking shelter in rooms with solid walls and no windows and avoiding outdoor exposure as of 19:18 Moscow time.
Earlier reports claimed that a single drone associated with Ukrainian forces was neutralized in both the Kursk and Belgorod regions, marking a pattern of ongoing drone activity in the border zones.
According to the Defense Ministry, on the morning of August 6, Ukrainian forces reportedly began advancing deeper into the Kursk region. The ministry described attacks on Russian troop positions near Oleshnya and Nikolaevo-Daryino. By August 8, clashes were reported within Sudzhansky and Korenevsky districts. On the evening of August 9, authorities announced the introduction of a counter-terrorism operation regime in the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions.
Deputy Governor Alexey Smirnov provided an assessment noting that about 2,000 people, whose exact whereabouts were not yet known, appeared to be under enemy occupation. He added that 28 settlements within the Kursk region were reported under Ukrainian control, with the depth of penetration into territory estimated at approximately 12 kilometers.
Additional commentary followed regarding responses from U.S. officials related to the developments in the Kursk region, with officials signaling concern over the evolving situation. [Attribution: official government communications and regional authorities.]