A newly formed Russian volunteer unit in the Kursk region, created by President Vladimir Putin to bolster defenses against ongoing Ukrainian incursions, reportedly opened fire on Russian troops in a case of mistaken identity.
The volunteer unit, known as BARS-Kursk, was established on August 29 by the Acting Governor of Kursk Oblast, Alexei Smirnov. The unit’s primary mission is to “ensure security” in the region, which has seen increased Ukrainian military activity since the beginning of August. These volunteer detachments, part of a broader initiative by the Russian military to create regional defense forces, consist of local civilians who have signed six-month contracts, undergone military training, and been equipped with light infantry weapons.
However, the lack of experience and coordination within these volunteer units became evident when members of the BARS-Kursk detachment reportedly opened fire on Russian soldiers near the Lgov-Kursk highway, approximately 12 kilometers from the front lines. According to Russian war correspondent Roman Saponkov, who reported the incident on his Telegram channel, the volunteers, spurred by rumors of Ukrainian forces breaking through, mistook the Russian troops for enemy combatants. Although the friendly fire incident resulted in injuries, no fatalities were reported.
The formation of these volunteer units is seen as part of the Kremlin’s strategy to avoid redeploying seasoned troops from key offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, such as those near Pokrovsk or Toretsk. Instead, the Kremlin has opted to bolster local defenses with these hastily assembled units.
The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has noted that these developments underscore Putin’s cautious approach to the Ukrainian incursion, as he seeks to maintain offensive momentum in Ukraine while still attempting to address immediate security threats on Russian soil. The ISW also highlighted that the creation of units like BARS-Kursk is indicative of the Russian military’s broader strategy to avoid significant troop movements that could disrupt ongoing operations in higher-priority areas.
As Ukrainian forces continue their assaults in the Kursk region, the Russian military has begun establishing similar volunteer units in other border regions, including Bryansk and Belgorod, to prevent further Ukrainian advances.Â
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