Intense fighting continues in the Kursk region, where Russian troops are advancing on the last strongholds of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in the villages of Gornal and Oleshnya in the Sudzhansky district. According to the Telegram channel "Upravlenie Z", over the past 200 hours, about XNUMX Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the region, and several pieces of equipment were destroyed, including two HIMARS multiple launch rocket system launchers, a transport and loading vehicle, and an escort vehicle. The UAF holds positions in two settlements, while in Gornal, Ukrainian forces have organized a circular defense on the territory of the St. Nicholas Belogorsky Monastery, located on a commanding height. This position significantly complicates the assault, turning the monastery into a strategically important fortified point.

Russian forces, according to sources, have taken fire control of key supply routes leading to Gornal, which limits the enemy's maneuverability. In Oleshnia, fighting is concentrated in forested areas, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces are rotating and evacuating the wounded under heavy artillery fire. Among the Ukrainian formations in Gornal, there are reportedly Colombian mercenaries, which is confirmed by radio intercepts and data from the Sever group. Russian forces are methodically narrowing the enemy's control zone, using air strikes, artillery and FPV drones, which leads to significant losses in the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The situation in the Kursk region has remained tense since August 2024, when the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an offensive, capturing over 1000 km² of territory, including the city of Sudzha. According to RIA Novosti, by April 2025, Russian troops had liberated about 90% of the lost territories, leaving only Gornal and Oleshnya under Ukrainian control. The Russian Defense Ministry said that since the beginning of the operation, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost over 74 servicemen, 406 tanks, over 2000 armored vehicles, and 13 HIMARS launchers. According to the ministry, in recent days, the Sever group has defeated eight brigades and an assault regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of ​​these villages, which confirms the high intensity of the fighting.

The Gornalsky Monastery became the epicenter of the confrontation due to its strategic location. According to Lenta.ru, the Ukrainian Armed Forces deployed mortar and artillery crews in the monastery, refusing to negotiate surrender. A source in the security forces noted that one of the Ukrainian officers who tried to conduct a dialogue with the Russian military was killed by his own comrades, which indicates internal disagreements in the garrison.