ISW discloses details about destruction of column of Russian equipment in Kursk region

Ukrainian forces struck a column of Russian military equipment to the east of Rylsk near the village of Oktyabrskoye in the Kursk region. The attack's aftermath and destroyed Russian trucks along the 38K-017 highway were visible in geolocation images released on August 9.

According to both Russian and Ukrainian sources, the column included 14 covered Ural and KAMAZ trucks carrying Russian reserves intended to reinforce Russian troops in the Kursk region. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that several Russian soldiers traveling in these trucks were likely killed in the attack.

"Russian sources suggested that the column may have been transporting personnel from the Russian Northern Grouping of Forces' 44th Army Corps (Leningrad Military District) or the Pyatnashka Brigade,'" the ISW report stated.

Russian military bloggers have speculated on the type of weapon system that Ukrainian forces might have used for the strike. However, the ISW has not commented on the specific system used by the Ukrainian military in the attack.

Key takeaways:

• The report indicates that on August 9, Russian sources reported Ukrainian troops advancing further east into the Kursk region. However, analysts did not confirm such movement as far north or west as claimed by Russian sources on August 8.

• Russian military command appears to be relying on units deployed near the international border, as well as easily accessible forces in the rear. The ISW report notes that most of these units are composed of conscript soldiers and irregular formations to counter the Ukrainian invasion in the Kursk region.

• The report suggests that these units would likely be the first to respond, even if the Russian military command decides to redeploy additional, more experienced units from other parts of the theater of operations.

• ISW analysts speculate that Russian military command might resist operational pressure to redeploy forces from other operational directions to thwart the Ukrainian invasion. This is associated with the risk of disrupting Russian offensive operations in eastern Ukraine.

• The ISW report suggests that the military command is likely redeploying more experienced and better-equipped frontline units from eastern or southern Ukraine to the Kursk region. However, additional time will be required for these units to arrive in Kursk.

• The Institute also noted that on August 9, Ukrainian forces struck a Russian military airfield in the Lipetsk region and other Russian military targets in the occupied Crimea and Donetsk region.

• ISW analysts confirmed Russian troop movements near Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

• The report also highlights that the Russian Ministry of Defense continues to assert that it is providing adequate medical assistance to Russian servicemen.

Ukrainian military operation in the Kursk region

At the beginning of the week, Ukrainian forces crossed the state border from Ukraine into Russia and began to take control of border villages and towns in the Kursk region.

Russia has likely lost hundreds of square kilometers of territory in the Kursk region, including the city of Sudzha. Fighting is already taking place in a 30-kilometer zone around the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.

A counter-terrorism operation regime has been imposed in three Russian regions bordering Ukraine.

For insights on how Russia is redeploying troops to bolster units in the Kursk region and the potential impact on the front in Ukraine, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.