Ukraine advances into Russia, reaches 35km beyond the border
Ukrainian forces, advancing into Russian territory, are reaching locations as far as several dozen 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 specialising in the analysis of armed conflicts, stated in its latest report that Ukrainian forces have managed to penetrate the Kursk region, reaching as far as 35 kilometres into Russian territory in some places. According to ISW, this information is based on geolocation data and accounts from Russian bloggers specialising 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 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 suggests that Ukrainian forces are effectively using small armed groups to carry out attacks beyond the front line, taking advantage of the limited Russian military presence in the border area of the Kursk region. It also notes that larger Ukrainian units are active in areas of the Kursk region closer to the Ukrainian border, where they are solidifying and fortifying their positions.
ISW emphasises 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. "Significant Ukrainian gains in Russia would be a strategic blow" for Vladimir Putin - according to the Institute.
Source: PAP