Russia jails former Kursk governor in Ukraine incursion-linked graft probe

A Russian court sentenced Alexei Smirnov, the former governor of Kursk, to 14 years in a penal colony for corruption. He was found guilty of failing to ensure strong fortifications along the border, which allowed a surprise offensive by Ukrainian forces in August 2024. This offensive resulted in the capture of numerous towns and villages, marking the most significant cross-border attack on Russian soil since World War II.