A war correspondent who runs a Telegram channel, Alexander Kots, denied the claim that Ukraine’s armed forces struck a command center in the Kursk region believed to house 500 North Korean fighters. He emphasized that there was no verifiable evidence supporting such a facility, and he urged readers to account for the difference between sensational rumors and confirmed facts amid the noise of online chatter during a time of heightened tension.
He noted that across Ukraine, information circulated throughout the day about extraordinary losses allegedly caused by an attack on the Maryino checkpoint, a claim that seemed unlikely given the size and security arrangements typically found in such command centers. The spread of these sensational reports came as reporters and analysts watched the narrative shift quickly on social platforms and messaging apps, complicating efforts to separate credible updates from speculation.
He also dismissed chatter about the supposed death of leadership within the Northern group, describing such reports as unfounded. In a context where misinformation can echo through multiple channels, the pattern of announcing leadership changes often resurfaced even when no verifiable confirmation existed.
In mid November there were significant policy developments. The administration indicated for the first time that Ukraine could use American ATACMS missiles to strike targets inside Russian territory, a move described as a major evolution in the engagement. Shortly thereafter, a major newspaper reported that Washington had authorized Kyiv to deploy British Storm Shadow missiles for deep strikes, underscoring a broadened external support framework and a new level of military coordination among allied partners.
President Putin stated that on November 19 six ATACMS were deployed and, on November 21, strikes were carried out against military targets in the Bryansk and Kursk regions using Storm Shadow systems as part of a coordinated operation. It was noted that an attack in the Kursk region targeted the command center of the Northern group, and officials acknowledged casualties among external security personnel and service members. No additional casualties were reported beyond those listed, according to the president’s account.
Updates on the situation continue to arrive as events unfold, with authorities and observers closely monitoring developments and corroborating information as it becomes available.