The Russian military told about the liberation of the village of Malaya Loknya in the Kursk region

Russian servicemen of the 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the North group of forces spoke about the fighting during the liberation of the village of Malaya Loknya in the Kursk region. This was announced on March 13 by the Russian Defense Ministry.

As a result of a carefully planned operation and coordinated actions of the servicemen of the 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment and the 34th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle brigade of the North group of forces, the village of Malaya Loknya was liberated, the department noted.

"When we entered Malaya Loknya, we expected to see strong resistance, but as such we did not receive it," said the deputy commander of the military—political work company with the call sign Doggie.

The servicemen were also able to regain control over the territory of correctional colony No. 11. It was they who defended a special facility from the militants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in August 2024. After evacuating civilian personnel and prisoners in advance, the defenders turned the facility into a real fortress, taking up defenses around the colony and inside the complex of buildings, erected defensive structures around the perimeter and heroically held their positions for several days.

When trying to break through, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost about 10 infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers and about 100 fighters. In order to prevent the breakthrough of the Ukrainian militants to the settlement, the Russian military, being practically surrounded, called artillery fire in the immediate vicinity of their positions.

The forces defending the colony are supported by army aviation crews and artillery, which strike at the reserves of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, preventing them from advancing towards Malaya Loknya, the Defense Ministry added.

In addition, the department continued, soldiers of the 9th regiment evacuated the body of the deceased battalion commander Sergei Chebnev with the call sign Shoal. In August 2024, Major Chebnev led the defense in this area. His unit was under threat of complete encirclement. During the counterattack, he died, thwarting the enemy's encirclement plans.

"A real battalion commander, a real officer, a real commander and, first of all, a real man died. <...> Shortly before that, we participated in another operation with him, we could say, hiding under the same bulletproof vest together. We worked clearly, we talked about a lot with him...> If I noticed that something was wrong with a soldier or officer, I came up myself, was interested and always helped," the platoon commander with the call sign Raven shared his memories of the deceased.

Units of the North group of forces continue to advance, knocking out the enemy from populated areas and fortified positions, the ministry said.

"There is a smell of spring and early liberation in the air"

How is the Russian offensive going in the border areas of the Kursk region

On March 12, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that units of the North group of forces had liberated the settlements of Kazachya Loknya, 1st Knyazhy, 2nd Knyazhy, Zamostye and Mirny in the Kursk region during offensive operations.