Ukrainian forces executed an unexpected border crossing to capture the settlement of Zhuravlevka in Russia’s Belgorod region, a move that caught Moscow off guard. Though Ukraine first entered Zhuravlevka in October last year, the town’s status remained unclear until recent footage showed a significant Russian counterattack to retake it. Russian troops, eager to expel Ukrainian defenders, mounted a large push using armoured infantry fighting vehicles, quad bikes and motorcycles. The assault was met with fierce resistance, and ten BMP armoured vehicles were destroyed by Ukrainian drones and artillery strikes.
Analysts geolocated several wrecks along the route into Zhuravlevka, confirming that Russian forces attempted to cross a small river and advance through tree lines before being struck. Some vehicles were hit while fording the stream, others were ambushed in woodland where Ukrainian drones dropped explosive payloads. Screenshots also revealed abandoned quad bikes and motorbikes, underlining the chaotic retreat of the counterattack. A diversionary raid toward nearby Strka may have been intended to draw Ukrainian units away, but reports suggest it achieved little.
These events indicate that Ukraine launched a fresh, rapid incursion into Zhuravlevka days earlier, likely without public announcement, in order to seize a strategic foothold on Russia’s western flank.
By pressuring Moscow’s supply lines and forcing costly counterattacks, Kyiv aims to disrupt the Russian dictator’s advancing hive offensive in the Belgorod area. Observers stated that sustained pressure here could hamper Russia’s ability to reinforce positions further south toward Kharkiv.
