Russia, Ukraine: Combat reported along shared border between Russia's Kursk Oblast and Ukraine's Sumy Region Aug. 6

Military operations have been reported near the villages of Nikolaevo-Darino and Oleshnya in Russia's Kursk Oblast, which borders Ukraine's Sumy Region, on Aug. 6. Russian and Ukrainian sources have issued conflicting reports; however, it is likely that a group of several hundred Ukrainian soldiers supported by roughly two dozen tanks and armored vehicles crossed the border early on Aug. 6 and are currently engaged in combat with Russian forces. Ukrainian shelling and drone strikes have reportedly killed two civilians. Russian authorities have issued missile alert warnings in the Sudzhansky and Korenevsky districts, which both border Ukraine's Sumy Region. Russian missile strikes and airstrikes targeted the Sumy Region, including Sumy City, during the afternoon of Aug. 6, causing infrastructural damage but no confirmed civilian casualties. Military losses on both sides remain unclear.

Artillery fire, aerial attacks, and ground combat operations will likely continue in the coming days. Strikes may cause building damage and civilian casualties. Russian authorities will likely launch counterattacks in the area in the coming hours or days. Counteroffensive operations could prompt increased security and the evacuation of civilians from surrounding areas. Either party may expand military operations in response to conditions on the ground.