On January 17, 2025, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the successful repelling of a counterattack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the direction of the village of Berdin in the Kursk region. Ukrainian units attempted to stop the advance of Russian troops and break out of the blockade zone, but their actions were stopped.
During the operation, the special forces units "Akhmat" of the 42nd Guards Motorized Rifle Division and the 106th Guards Airborne Division of the Airborne Forces inflicted significant losses on the enemy, forcing them to retreat to their original positions. According to the Ministry of Defense, the Ukrainian assault group consisted of two tanks, a barrier vehicle and 12 combat armored vehicles with troops. As a result of the fighting, two tanks, a barrier vehicle and seven combat armored vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed.
On January 5, Ukrainian troops attempted a similar counterattack in the direction of the Berdin farmstead, which also ended in failure. Then Russian forces defeated the enemy assault group, destroying the equipment and personnel involved.
The situation in the border areas of the Kursk region remains tense. Russian troops continue offensive actions in all directions, inflicting significant losses on the enemy. Despite the transfer of additional reserves, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are forced to retreat from the occupied positions. During the first two weeks of January, the Russian army liberated several settlements in the border areas of the Kursk region, including Alexandria, Leonidovo, Russkoye Porechnoye and Kruglenkoye.