Russia’s Defense Ministry announced it is deploying reserve troops and aviation units to the southwestern Kursk region after a surprise Ukrainian incursion killed at least three civilians and injured over a dozen.

Ukrainian forces, using up to 300 soldiers, 11 tanks, and more than 20 armored vehicles, attacked villages near the border with Ukraine’s Sumy region.

The Russian military, with FSB border force units, is repelling the attacks. Kursk region acting Governor Alexei Smirnov reported civilian casualties from drone attacks and border skirmishes.

Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council accused Russia of misinformation, asserting that Russia does not control the border, The Moscow Times has reported.

Ukrainian paramilitary groups have previously conducted incursions into Russian border areas.

Written by B.C. Begley