Ukrainian forces have made significant confirmed advancements into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, with advances up to 10 kilometers into Russian territory confirmed and new footage suggesting forces now 15 km into Russia. Confirmed footage has showcased Ukrainian armored vehicles positioning along the 38K-030 route, approximately 10 kilometers from the international border. The advances suggest Ukrainian forces have breached at least two Russian defensive lines and a stronghold.
NEW: Ukrainian forces have made confirmed advances up to 10 kilometers into Russia’s Kursk Oblast amid continued mechanized offensive operations on Russian territory on August 7.
🧵(1/9) pic.twitter.com/8ZFlCoAgqD
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) August 8, 2024
According to a Russian insider, Ukrainian forces have captured 45 square kilometers of territory since the operation commenced on August 6. Reports from Russian sources indicate that Ukrainian troops have seized 11 settlements, including Nikolaevo-Daryino, Darino, and Sverdlikovo, and are currently operating within Lyubimovka. The Ukrainian forces appear to be progressing along the 38K-030 Sudzha-Korenovo highway, with heavy fighting reported on the outskirts of Korenovo and Sudzha. The Sudzha checkpoint and gas distribution station have been taken by Ukrainian forces, evidenced by geolocated imagery showing over 40 Russian POWs and significant damage to the area.
⚡️Local residents of the city of Sudzha, who were evacuated to 🇷🇺Kursk, are standing in line for humanitarian aid pic.twitter.com/llHYntDVZo
— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) August 8, 2024
Russian forces, including the Chechen-based 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment, have been deployed to counter the offensive. However, Chechen units have reportedly suffered heavy losses. The Russian Ministry of Defense, along with the FSB, claims to be actively engaging and destroying Ukrainian formations in the Sudzhensky and Korenevsky districts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has characterized the Ukrainian offensive as a “major provocation,” holding high-level meetings to coordinate responses and aid for affected residents. The Kremlin’s messaging has been contradictory, balancing between downplaying the attack’s impact and acknowledging its severity to avoid domestic panic. This operation marks one of the most substantial Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory in the two-year conflict, raising questions about the broader implications for both nations.
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