Kursk regional operational headquarters announced an air threat alert across Russia's Kursk Region at 2:16 PM UTC on February 26, 2026, putting forces on high alert to repel a possible attack, according to Оперштаб Курской области, within the 30-minute reporting window from 1:46 PM to 2:16 PM UTC. Ukrainian soldiers from the Signum battalion destroyed Russian logistics in the Lyman direction using strike drones, as reported by Дикі шершні referencing front_ukrainian on X. Говорять Снайпер stated enemy units are attempting chaotic infiltrations in Lyman, facing serious logistics issues due to round-the-clock Ukrainian drone activity, with rotations and evacuations occurring in bad weather. In Kupiansk, the situation remains difficult as Ukrainian Defense Forces could not fully clear the city before Russian attempts to penetrate resumed, per Офіцер, noting high enemy UAV and aviation activity complicates urban defense with limited personnel. Дикі шершні promoted STING drones from Wild Hornets for targeting Shaheds via Brave1 platform. Separate reports highlighted AI-driven demand causing fibre-optic cable shortages for Russian kamikaze drones, with prices quadrupling, according to ChrisO_wiki on X cited by Говорять Снайпер. This follows earlier Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia's Dorogobuzh plant rendering it inoperable, as reported in the prior window.
