Ukrainian forces advance deep into Russia, ISW report reveals
9 August 2024 10:44
Ukrainian forces, moving into the territory of Russia, are reaching locations up to 35 kilometres from the border. This information was provided in the latest report by the Institute for the Study of War. ISW experts rely on information provided by Russian bloggers who monitor the conflict in real time.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), an American think tank specializing in the analysis of armed conflicts, stated in its latest report that Ukrainian forces managed to penetrate into the territory of the Kursk region, reaching in some places as far as 35 kilometres into Russian territory. This information, according to ISW, is based on geolocation data and accounts from Russian bloggers specializing in military topics.
According to reports from Russian commentators, Ukrainian forces have reached locations such as Kromskije Byki and Molutino, which are 35 kilometres from the border with the Ukrainian Sumy region and 18 kilometres from the Russian city of Lgov, respectively. However, it is worth noting that, according to the same sources, these are only small groups of soldiers who do not plan to hold the captured areas.
They penetrated as far as 35 kilometres into Russia. Ukraine struck at the enemy
Information about the situation in the city of Sudzha, located about 10 kilometres from the border, is conflicting. Some Russian military bloggers claim that Ukrainian forces have completely taken over this city, while others report that they control only part of it.
Geolocation data from Thursday suggests that Ukrainian forces have likely reached the village of Russkoye Porechnoye, located north of Sudzha. Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers report that Ukrainian units have advanced even further north, along route 38K-024, reaching the vicinity of the village of Anastasyevka.
Additionally, based on geolocation data, it appears that on Wednesday and Thursday, Ukrainian forces were active in Goncharovka, west of Sudzha. One Russian military blogger claims that Ukrainian soldiers occupied this locality. Other online sources also report the presence of Ukrainian armed forces in other parts of the Kursk region.
The ISW report reads: “Ukrainian forces appear to be able to use these small armoured groups to conduct assaults past the engagement line due to the low density of Russian personnel in the border areas of Kursk Oblast. Larger Ukrainian units are reportedly operating in areas of Kursk Oblast closer to the international border and are reportedly consolidating and fortifying some positions.”
ISW emphasizes that, according to the assessment of Russian military bloggers, Ukrainian forces are effectively using innovative tactics and their technological potential during operations in the Kursk region. The Institute did not provide details on this matter due to the operational security of the Ukrainian forces.
ISW predicts that the Kremlin will likely attempt to reclaim the Kursk region territory seized by Ukrainian forces and prevent their further advance into Russia. According to the Institute, "Substantial Ukrainian advances within Russia would be a strategic blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin."
