Ukrainian forces disrupt key gas pipeline in Kursk offensive
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have launched a new offensive in the Kursk region, where they have maintained control over hundreds of square kilometres of Russian territory for more than half a year. Kyiv initiated an attack southeast of the city of Sudzha. A gas pipeline was disrupted in the Rylsk area.
As reported by Russian war correspondents, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an attack southeast of Sudzha, towards the localities of Fanaseyevka and Ulanok.
Ukrainians launched an attack
As a result of combat operations in the Rylsk area, a gas pipeline was damaged, informed the governor of the Kursk region, Aleksandr Hintshtain.
According to him, there was an ignition, and the pipeline had to be shut down.
"Russian forces lost control over Cherkasskaya Konopelka" – writes the channel "Rybar," associated with the Russian Ministry of Defence.
"Like a bolt from the blue"
Alex Parker Returns reports that the Ukrainian Armed Forces also managed to take Ulanok. The Ukrainian offensive began "like a bolt from the blue" – they write.
The operation began with demining areas, which started "at dawn," after which "armored groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces commenced offensive actions from the direction of Makhnivka, flanking Cherkasskaya Konopelka and advancing on Ulanok" – write the "Military correspondents of Russian spring." The channel "Veteran's Notes" assesses the attacking forces at 500 soldiers and 50 armoured units.
At the end of January, the Ukrainian Armed Forces controlled 442 square kilometres of the Kursk region - almost three times less than at the peak of the operation started in August, during which they managed to occupy 1,300 square kilometres in two weeks - estimate experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to ISW, in January, the Russian army managed to "recapture" about 39 square kilometres more.
The Ukrainian counteroffensive is "an attempt to improve their position" – writes "War correspondent": "It is precisely south of Sudzha that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation managed to advance significantly in recent months and effectively pushed the Ukrainian Armed Forces to Sudzha itself, threatening the entire opposing group in the Kursk region" - it reads.
The Kursk region as a bargaining chip
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv plans to use the Kursk region as a factor in potential negotiations with Russia.
"We have struck several very critical military command points. And these are very serious steps. They are important. I believe they will not be able to push us off this territory in the near future, and this, like a magnet, is keeping 60,000 of their troops in this direction," he added.
