At least three civilians lost their lives in two distinct Ukrainian strikes in the southwestern Kursk region, as reported by regional officials on Monday.

According to Acting Kursk region Governor Alexander Khinshtein, two women employed by an agricultural company were killed when a drone targeted a van transporting five workers near the village of Shchegolek. He also mentioned that three additional individuals sustained injuries and were hospitalized.

In another event, a 53-year-old man died as a result of an explosive device dropped by a drone in the village of Zvannoye, which is also situated near the border with Ukraine’s Sumy region, Khinshtein stated.

Both villages are located in proximity to areas where Ukrainian and Russian forces have engaged in conflict over the last several months.

Last month, Russia announced that it had regained complete control over the Kursk region, with assistance from North Korean troops, following an unexpected incursion by Ukrainian forces that resulted in the seizure of numerous villages in August 2024.

The ongoing three-year conflict has led to frequent casualties among civilians in the border areas of both Russia and Ukraine due to drone and artillery assaults.

Khinshtein revealed last week that 288 civilians had been killed during the Ukrainian offensive in the region.

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky stated on Monday that the incursion into Kursk had “met most of its objectives,” pointing out that, although Ukrainian forces had been pushed back, the operation showcased Kyiv’s military capabilities and disrupted Russian advances in other sectors along the front.

Kyiv had aimed to use its transient hold over the territory as a bargaining chip in ceasefire discussions with Moscow.

Reporting by AFP contributed to this story.