Ukrainian forces have carried out a bold attack, 25 miles inside the Russian border, targeting a Russian military convoy with U.S.-made HIMARS, resulting in the destruction of multiple vehicles and the deaths of numerous Russian soldiers. The incident has sharply undermined Moscow’s military credibility and prompted the Kremlin to declare a federal emergency in the region.
Drone footage of the Ukrainian HIMARS strike that destroyed a Russian convoy, causing dozens of casualties last night in Rylsk, Kursk Oblast. pic.twitter.com/gPi2LJ6trz
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 9, 2024
Videos circulating online, verified by multiple sources, show the aftermath of the ambush near the village of Oktyabrskoye. Burnt-out trucks and visible bodies inside some of the vehicles reveal the severity of the attack. This ambush follows a pattern of hit-and-run tactics reminiscent of early Ukrainian strategies during the siege of Kyiv. The Ukrainian forces’ success in Kursk signals a new phase in the conflict, as Kyiv expands its operations beyond its borders.
‼️ BREAKING: Russia may have lost up to half a thousand soldiers in a night strike
A morning video of a destroyed Russian military convoy in the Kursk region has appeared online. The footage shows burnt-out trucks with the bodies of dozens of Russian soldiers scattered among… pic.twitter.com/Z0MTHHKj8r
— Mash (@truthprojectX) August 9, 2024
Russian Army convoy was destroyed by Ukrainian HIMARS strike near Rylsk, Kursk region last night.
7 units reportedly burned.
HIMARS was also reportedly used for the first time during Kursk incursion. pic.twitter.com/CbknEeJx8J
— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 9, 2024
The Russian Ministry of Defense has responded by deploying additional military reserves, including Grad rockets, artillery, and tanks, to the Kursk region. Russian state media reported the transfer of these reinforcements, while the Kremlin declared a federal emergency in response to the ongoing Ukrainian incursion. Despite the heavy losses, Russian officials and military commentators have been hesitant to acknowledge the full extent of the situation, instead focusing on efforts to protect civilian populations and portray the situation as under control.
As Ukrainian forces push deeper into Kursk Oblast, reports indicate they have advanced as far as 35 kilometers from the international border with Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast. However, Ukrainian forces are not believed to be in control of all territory within this range, as operations appear to involve rapid advances and withdrawals rather than attempts to hold ground.
Unconfirmed Details as of August 9th
In Sudzha, Ukrainian forces now appear to control most of the city, with confirmed positions at a Pyaterochka store in the nearby village of Zaoleshenka. While Russian troops are reportedly holding the eastern part of the city along the Psel River, newly released video footage shows Ukrainian soldiers at Gazprom offices located just 1,000 feet from the river, indicating that Ukrainian forces have advanced closer to the riverban, likely dislodging Russian troops from the town’s edge.
The Ukrainian blackout on the invasion of Russia is gone. Here are soldiers of the 61st Brigade recording a video at the Gazprom offices in Sudzha, a district center of the Kursk region of Russia. “The city is under the control of armed forces of Ukraine and quiet.” pic.twitter.com/xNfrI4Ur54
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) August 9, 2024
Further north, Ukrainian infantry, supported by armored vehicles, have reportedly captured most of Vtoroye Knyazhin, while Russian forces continue to hold Korenevo in the Korenevsky district despite ongoing Ukrainian assaults.
Ukrainian troops have also advanced toward the Yuzhny farm, north of Kazachya Loknya. Russian sources report that Ukrainian forces attempted a breakthrough near the Kucherov farmstead, 22 kilometers southeast of Sudzha, though the outcome of this fighting remains unclear.
Russian media have highlighted the chaos caused by Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups operating across the region. These groups have been striking at various points, creating confusion and making it difficult for Russian forces to respond effectively. Surveillance cameras along highways are reportedly being used by Ukrainian forces to monitor Russian troop movements, further complicating the Russian response.
Kremlin Critics Comment
The incursion has not only caused military and logistical challenges for Russia but also political repercussions. Kremlin critic Bill Browder described the Ukrainian operation as “humiliating” for President Vladimir Putin. The attack has also led to increased scrutiny of Russia’s military preparedness and the effectiveness of its border defenses, which were overwhelmed in a matter of hours.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones struck a military airfield in Russia’s Lipetsk region, approximately 186 miles from the Ukrainian border, causing extensive damage and leading to a state of emergency in that area as well. The strikes targeted warehouses and other facilities near the airfield, where Su-34, Su-35, and MiG-31 aircraft are based.
Consequences of a UAV strike on the compound of the BC airfield in #Lipetsk/ #kursk region pictures of improved quality#Ukraine #Ukrainian #UkraineKrieg #UkraineWar #UkraineCounterOffensive #NATO #Europe #USA https://t.co/zReJWmq69Z pic.twitter.com/SlSD2KouaW
— ddlg ✙ (@u_me_reality) August 9, 2024
The Ukrainian government has remained largely silent about the specifics of the operation, though President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted at the broader strategy, stating that Russia “should feel what it has done” by bringing the war to Ukrainian soil. The incursion into Kursk is seen by some analysts as a calculated move to force Russia to divert resources away from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, potentially easing pressure on Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donbas region.
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