Moscow trying to defend Kursk region with light infantry - UK Defense Ministry
Photo: Kursk region gathers contract soldiers to defend against the Ukrainian army (Getty Images)
On August 24, the administration of the Kursk region of Russia announced the creation of a voluntary unit BARS-Kursk. Future recruits are promised that they will serve only in the Kursk region of Russia on a six-month contract, the UK Ministry of Defense reports.
The BARS (Combat Army Reserve of the Country) units were first created in 2021, initially intended to provide the Russian Ministry of Defense with active reservists with a high level of readiness and training. Starting in March 2022, volunteers can join BARS units for short-term service, the report says.
According to UK intelligence, the BARS units are mainly light infantry formations that lack integrated artillery or armored vehicles. Currently, there are more than 30 BARS units across Russia.
"The creation of the BARS-Kursk volunteer unit is almost certainly a Russian response to the Ukrainian incursion into the Russian Kursk Oblast, which began on 6 August 2024. It is unlikely that the volunteer unit will be set up and able to support any Russian military activity in Kursk over the next month. Although it is likely attempting to build its forces in Kursk, Russia is currently prioritising the Pokrovsk axis in eastern Ukraine," the UK Ministry of Defense says.
Ukrainian Armed Forces operation
The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an operation in the Kursk region on August 6. According to Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, 1300 square kilometers and 100 settlements have been taken under control. About 600 Russian soldiers were captured.
Syrskyi also said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operation in the Kursk region led to Moscow withdrawing about 30,000 troops from the frontline in Ukraine and redeploying them to this area.
CIA Deputy Director David Cohen said that Russia could attempt a counter-offensive in the Kursk region, but it would be a tough fight for Russia.
