Putin’s claims in Kursk conflict clash with satellite data

Vladimir Putin addressed the situation on the front in the Kursk region, but according to the "Biełsat" station, an analysis of data from publicly available sources presents a completely different picture. This is another example of Russian authorities manipulating the reality of the war's course.

Vladimir Putin addressed the situation on the front in the Kursk region, stating that the Russian army has stabilized the situation there and has started "pushing the enemy out of the border areas." However, as reported by "Biełsat," data analysis from publicly available sources suggests a completely different picture.

First and foremost, the dynamics and intensity of military actions can be tracked thanks to satellite data. NASA's FIRMS service regularly updates the global fire and thermal anomaly map, which allows precise localization of areas where the heaviest fighting is taking place or where there are massive shellings.

For example, over the past five days, the combat zone has moved deeper into the Bolshesoldatsky area, and large fire hotspots are already visible on the outskirts of the village of Bolshoye Soldatskoye, reports "Biełsat."

The intensity of fighting around the Korenevo settlement has increased significantly, and shelling in the neighbouring Rylsky area is becoming more intense. Combat operations in the Glushkovo area have also escalated. According to "Biełsat," the only area where the Russians are effectively halting the advance of the Ukrainian army is the border of the Sudzhansky and Belovsky areas.

On the Russian side, significant discrepancies can be seen in assessments of the progress of the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region. Unlike Ukrainian sources, Russian so-called Z-correspondents and military bloggers regularly and in detail report on the course of military actions, offering their analyses and comments.

However, many of these reports are not only overly optimistic but often also out of touch with reality.

It happens that Ukrainian losses are exaggerated, and inaccurate information is given about territorial control by Russian forces. Despite attempts to emphasize successes, even the most popular military bloggers do not agree with the narrative that the Russian army is already effectively "pushing" Ukrainian troops out of border areas.

As noted by "Biełsat," there is still a lack of any evidence in open sources to confirm Vladimir Putin's words about the commencement of this phase of the operation. Contrary to official declarations, there is no information that could indicate that the Russians control the situation in these areas in the way suggested by Russian government media.