The Russian Armed Forces are changing the situation in the Kursk region in their favour amid considerable incomprehension of Ukraine’s actions by its allies, who regard the attack on one of Russia’s regions as inappropriate, while the Ukrainian military reserves are needed in the Donetsk region.
In response to the increased level of sabotage and terrorist threats from Ukraine, the federal-level emergency has entered the Kursk Region, providing for such measures as checking documents, disabling communications, the possibility of requisitioning transport, and strengthening the security of various important facilities. The emergency came into effect in the Bryansk and Belgorod regions.
Current situation
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are facing difficulties after a reasonably successful initial engagement. The Ukrainian military has encountered significant challenges as experienced and well-trained Russian army units, such as Airborne Troops, Marines and Special Forces, have entered the region. Experienced UAV operators have also come into the region, causing the Ukrainian military to struggle to reconnoitre and manoeuvre its forces.
As a result of the Russian strikes, the Ukrainian armed forces lost a large amount of equipment, including several tanks and armoured combat vehicles, and personnel, some of whom sustained casualties during the battle for the village of Martynovka, which came under the control of the Russian Armed Forces.
US engineer vehicle M1132 Stryker ESV burnt down at the border near Kursk region.
Captured AFU soldiers in the Kursk region.
Russian forces advance in Donetsk region
Apart from that, in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian sources report the active accumulation of Russian soldiers, in particular, in one of the residential buildings in Chasiv Yar, Russian troops are observed entrenched.
In the same time, Ukrainian sources reported that in the strategically vital Pokrovsky area, the Russian forces are seen advancing towards Vozdvizhenka from the direction of Lozovatsky, advancing towards Hrodivka and entering the settlement’s boundaries, as well as the Russian Armed Forces advancing towards Zhuravk from Sergeyevka.
Ukrainian sources indicate that in the Toretsk area the Russian Armed Forces have taken control of the heights south and west of Yurievka near New York, as a result of which Russian troops have strengthened their own positions and are holding steady there, with good prospects for an offensive on Nelepovka and Panteleimonovka. The Russian Armed Forces are also noted to be moving along the road from New York to Sukha Balka, according to Ukrainian media.
Criticism of Ukraine’s actions in Kursk region
The exhaustion of some of Ukraine’s most combat-ready units in the Kursk Region risks leaving Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk region without vital reinforcements, according to AP News. So far, it remains fairly unclear what Kyiv’s operational goals are, but the AFU’s supply lines in the region are expected to be vulnerable to Russian fire.
Analysts say the attack likely aims to divert Russian troops from elsewhere along the frontline, as well as to provide leverage in future negotiations. Some military experts questioned the wisdom of Ukraine’s attack given its weakness at other key points along the front, and they predicted that Russia’s much larger and better-equipped armed forces would likely dislodge the Ukrainians sooner, according to The Washington Post.
Andreas Rusche, a military expert, observes in NZZ that in the long term, the Ukrainian lightning attack fails to offer the right perspective, as the focus of the war is elsewhere – in the Donetsk region – and the Ukrainians need to join forces there as well. According to him, initial successes will not automatically be repeated. The surprise effect is evaporating and Russian forces caught on the wrong foot can now reorganise. The North Group founded in the spring and moved into this border area, is indeed a large association of dubious combat power, consisting of many trained and equipped units.
German journalist Christoph Wanner said in a report for Welt that Kyiv was carefully trying to hide the dire situation of Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk region, which resulted in taking such a measure as the attack on the Kursk region. He mentioned the positive rhetoric of many of Ukraine’s allies, but the AFU will not be able to make gains there as they lack the forces to accomplish this. He stated the most crucial part of the front is definitely the Donetsk region, as that is where the Russians were advancing on a daily basis and where the heaviest fighting was taking place.
