Ukrainian forces advance, breaking Russian lines in Kursk
The Institute for the Study of War reports that the Ukrainians have resumed their offensive in Kursk Oblast. Analysts' findings indicate that they have managed to break through Russian defence lines southeast of the town of Sudzha. They reportedly advanced about five kilometres into the Kursk region.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), geolocated recordings published on 6 February show that Ukrainian forces moved southwest of Makhnovka and north and east of Cherkasskaya Konopelka along route 38K-028, capturing the city of Kolmakov.
ISW reports that Ukrainian troops conducted assaults using 30 to 50 armoured vehicles, achieving success in several villages in the Kursk region. Analysts, citing the Russian Ministry of Defence, claim that Ukrainian forces attacked in several waves, using two mechanised battalions.
Russian defence broken
ISW, citing Russian war reporters, reports that Ukrainian troops may have captured the towns of Cherkasskaya Konopelka, Ulanok, and Fanaseevka. However, geolocated recordings do not confirm the presence of Ukrainian forces in these locations.
Ukrainian troops entered Kursk Oblast on 6 August 2024. At that time, it was explained that one of their offensive goals was to force the Russians to redeploy some of their forces from Donbas in eastern Ukraine.
By the end of August, Kyiv controlled about 1,240 square kilometres of this region's territory, but since September, Ukrainian forces have started losing ground due to a Russian army counteroffensive. In November, sources in the Ukrainian army reported that they now control only about 800 square kilometres of Russian territory.
A new Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region began - according to reports from Russian bloggers - on the night of 5 January. The Russians are stubbornly defending themselves, yet the Ukrainian forces have managed to break through their defences, according to the latest reports.
