Ukraine Eyeing Expansion Of Kursk Invasion Despite Russian Reinforcements
Despite Russia pouring in reinforcements to counter the now eight-day-old invasion of Kursk, Ukraine is constant to try to increase its footprint there, pushing to the north and west.
Ukrainian forces have “opened new fronts in the western part of Kursk Oblast near Slobodka-Ivanovka, Tetkino, Gordeevka, Uspenka, and Viktorovka, taking control of Slobodka-Ivanovka, Uspenovka, Viktorovka, and Spalnoe,” the Ukrainian Heart for Protection Methods assume tank acknowledged on Tuesday.
In anticipation of this effort, nevertheless, Ukraine tried to explode a bridge over the Seim River to halt Russia’s logistics to that space, based on the Russian Two Majors Telegram channel.
Whereas these claims are unconfirmed, Russian milbloggers concur that Ukrainian forces proceed to push towards these areas.
“In the border area of Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian troops continue their attempts to advance northward toward Kurchatov,” the Kremlin-connected Rybar Telegram channel stated.
It additionally instructed Ukraine was eyeing a Western enlargement of its operation.
“In the afternoon, information appeared about a massive shelling of Tetkino by artillery,” Rybar acknowledged in an earlier put up. “Given the pattern of enemy actions, the probability of opening another section of the front is still not zero.”
The Institute for the Research of Struggle means that the invasion is continuing additional and sooner than many Russian milbloggers have claimed.
NEW: Ukrainian forces seem like advancing additional inside Kursk Oblast regardless of current milblogger claims that Russian forces have been stabilizing the frontline in Kursk Oblast.
Kursk Tactical Replace
(1/12) pic.twitter.com/3cVRXOw3oG
— Institute for the Research of Struggle (@TheStudyofWar) August 13, 2024
Visible proof is rising that Ukraine is flying across the Sumy-Kursk border and has launched airstrikes in Kursk, an indication that its air pressure feels snug that Russian air defenses are effectively suppressed within the common space.
Ukrainian Su-27 jet flying at low altitude within the border space of Sumy and Kursk areas.
Su-27 is used as a provider for American JDAM-ER, GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), French AASM-250 Hammer guided bombs & AGM-88 HARM missiles. pic.twitter.com/RMv9MvV4oj
— Conflict Report (@clashreport) August 13, 2024
The primary footage of Ukrainian Air Pressure airstrikes in help of the Kursk offensive has emerged.
Seen right here, a Ukrainian fighter drops a pair of US-supplied JDAM-ERs on Russian positions in Tetkino, conducting an efficient tactical strike into Russia. pic.twitter.com/qLQrbVypRq
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 13, 2024
“Ukrainian formations are using aircraft to strike the border area,” Rybar said, claiming that “the use of JDAM-ER guided bombs against a local grain storage facility in Tetkino has been noted.” The Struggle Zone can not independently confirm that declare.
Including to Ukraine’s aviation strike capabilities, it seems that the U.Okay. has not permitted Kyiv to make use of donated Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles in its Kursk invasion. The weapons that may attain out over a whole bunch of miles, would significantly improve Ukraine’s capacity to strike deeper into Kursk from standoff distances. You possibly can learn extra concerning the Storm Shadow in our deep dive here.
In the meantime, a day after Ukraine lastly opened up the informational spigot by proclaiming his troops captured practically 400 sq. miles of Russian territory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showcased one other dialog concerning the state of affairs together with his prime commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi.
“Despite the tough and intense battles, our forces proceed to advance within the Kursk area, and our state’s ‘exchange fund is growing,’” he said, a reference to the increasing flow of Russian prisoners of war who could be traded for Ukrainian ones. So far, “74 communities are under Ukrainian control, where inspections and stabilization measures are being carried out. The development of humanitarian solutions for these territories continues.”
I am constantly in touch with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, receiving reports on the frontline situation and our operations in the Kursk region. Despite the difficult and intense battles, our forces continue to advance in the Kursk region, and our state’s “exchange fund”… pic.twitter.com/5BUdEJWbcr
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 13, 2024
Because it has day by day for the reason that invasion started on Aug. 6, the Russian Protection Ministry claimed it has the state of affairs beneath management.
“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to repel the [Armed Forces of Ukraine] AFU attempt to invade the territory of the Russian Federation,” the Russian MoD claimed on Telegram.
“Over the past 24 hours, active actions of the Sever Group of Forces and arrived reserves, army aviation and unmanned aerial vehicles, and artillery fire prevented enemy mobile armored groups from forging deep into the Russian territory close to Obshchiy Kolodez, Snagost, Kauchuk, and Alekseyevsky,” the Russian MoD claimed.
“An attack launched by the 82nd Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the direction of Martynovka has been repelled. Up to 15 AFU personnel, two armored fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles were neutralized,” the Russian MoD acknowledged. As well as, “aviation and artillery strikes hit manpower and hardware of 22nd, 61st, 115th Mechanized brigades, and 80th Airborne Assault Brigade close to Mikhailovka, Korenevo, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Oleshni, Sudzha, and Nikolayevka.”
With confidence and braveness: Russian troops assault AFU place in border space of Kursk area
In cooperation with reconnaissance, a Sever Group’s assault group detected AFU militants positioned in a forest belt.
The command determined to assault the place; 4 AFU servicemen… pic.twitter.com/jfPmPpCLs2
— Russia Fact (autonomous pro-Kremlin infowarrior) (@Russia_Truth) August 13, 2024
Footage from one other angle of the destroyed armored autos of the Ukrainian armed forces within the Kursk area by the Fighters of the Akhmat unit. pic.twitter.com/FlZMmmpkmg
— King Chelsea Ug
(@ug_chelsea) August 12, 2024
Despite that rosy outlook, authorities have evacuated greater than 100,000 Kursk residents.
A Russian resident of Kursk area tells how Russians authorities organized the evacuation of civilians:
“We have been instructed there can be a practice at 5 o’clock. Lots of people gathered. We arrived on the practice station – there was no practice. It had left. We have all been deserted! Our… pic.twitter.com/lQLABDzNJh— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 13, 2024
Russia did not cease the Ukrainian invasion regardless of being warned months forward of time that it was possible, a former Russian reconnaissance group commander claimed in a current interview with the Russian Interesting Stories publication.
After months of small-scale incursions by groups like the Freedom of Russia Legion designed largely to gather intelligence about Russian defenses, Ukraine launched a major invasion at a vulnerable location, striking as quickly and deeply as possible, the group commander said.
6/ Those on the border knew something was up, he says, but were brushed off by the general command. “As regular, all requests up the chain have been met with: ‘We have everything under control; intelligence reports that nothing has been noticed.’”
— ChrisO_wiki (@ChrisO_wiki) August 13, 2024
The situation in Kursk forced Russia to make a significant change in the leadership of its defense of the region, placing former Putin bodyguard and current Colonel-General Alexei Dyumin as the new head of operations there.
The move was warmly received by prominent Russian milbloggers, who suggested that the appointment was a sign that Putin finally realized how disastrous Kusk had become.
“Alexei Dyumin as a senior official with a full range of powers to resolve the operational crisis in the Kursk region is a sign that the security forces have been unable to resolve the coordination problems on their own and without intervention from Moscow,” the Two Majors Telegram channel stated on Tuesday. “Dyumin’s appointment is Putin’s team taking full control of the situation in order to stop the window dressing and also to start solving the problem, rather than trying to freeze it.”
Alexander Sladkov, a military correspondent with Russia’s official Izvestia news outlet, also lauded the pick.
“This is great,” he exclaimed on Telegram. “And I categorically welcome this.”
“Dyumin is a military man, respected in the army and in the special services. He will quickly get into the subject and begin making important decisions,” Gladkov posited.
He “is Putin’s man, he will not allow the president to be deceived in reports to himself or others,” Gladkov added. “Dyumin was recently a brilliant governor, he will take into account in his actions the needs of not only the military but also civilians of the Kursk region.”
Dyumin “will certainly arrive in Kursk with extraordinary plenipotentiary powers,” said Gladkov. “And this is excellent, the situation is extraordinary.”
Putin’s aide, Colonel-General Alexei Dyumin, has been appointed coordinator of the “counter-terrorist operation in Kursk Area”, the Kremlin media reported. pic.twitter.com/3NnKtgx4J1
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 13, 2024
In an effort to avoid Ukrainian jamming, Russia began using fiber optic cables to control its first-person view (FPV) drones in the Kursk region. Images of downed Russian kamikaze drones with those cables began to emerge in March. You can read much more about this technique in our deep dive here.
Russian forces are now using fiber-optic cable control FPV drones in Kursk region.
This allows drones to operate without reliance on radio signals, making them immune to electronic warfare (EW) interference.
But there is a a risk of the fiber breaking, resulting in loss. pic.twitter.com/s7Mj16JTrP
— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 13, 2024
Though Russia continues to face struggles in Kursk and Belgorod, the citizens of Ukraine’s neighboring Sumy Oblast are feeling increased effects from the effort.
Sumy, which has been a staging ground for the invasion, is facing increased attacks from Russia. As a result, there have been evacuations and Ukrainian authorities have declared a level of martial law on the oblast.
“Due to the increase in the intensity of combat, the activation of diversion intelligence groups, the special operations forces of the enemy, and with the purpose of preserving the lives of the civilian population and military personnel, the military command has introduced restrictions on the movement of all categories of citizens in the 20-kilometer border zone of Sumy region,” the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff announced Tuesday on Facebook.
Every day Ukraine remains in Russia adds pressure on Putin to take more drastic actions. He’s already had his government declare martial law in Kursk, as well as neighboring Belgorod and Bryansk oblasts. Yesterday, he promised that Ukraine “will receive a worthy response, all the goals facing Russia will be achieved.”
Whatever that is, or if it will materialize at all, only time will tell.
Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com