Russia prioritizes advancing in eastern Ukraine despite situation in Kursk region
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Russian forces are maintaining a relatively high pace of advancement in the Donetsk region, demonstrating that the military command continues to prioritize operations in eastern Ukraine despite the Ukrainian Armed Forces' offensive in the Kursk region. There is no significant redeployment of Russian forces to that area, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The ISW report states that Russian troops "pursue a tactical encirclement" of Ukrainian forces southeast of Pokrovsk.
Geolocated footage published on August 14 and 15 shows that Russian troops recently advanced east of Pokrovsk within the areas of Hrodivka and southeast of Pokrovsk within the areas of Mykolaivka, Zhelanne, and Orlivka. ISW believes that the occupiers have likely captured Orlivka and Zhelanne.
In recent weeks, Russian forces have also continued mechanized assaults near Donetsk. Geolocated footage published on August 11 shows Russian forces conducting a mechanized assault of approximately company size southeast of Heorhiivka.
Russia has begun redeploying certain elements from Ukraine to respond to the situation in the Kursk region, but the types of units being relocated and their origin indicate that the Russian military command still prioritizes current offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, according to ISW.
The Institute has not observed reports in open sources that Russia is redeploying entire brigades from Ukraine to the Kursk region, but it has observed reports of parts of Russian regiments being relocated to this area.
As of August 15, according to ISW, the Russians made slight advances near Hlyboke and Lukyanivka in the northern part of the Kharkiv region, as well as near Novoselivka Persha and Zhelanne southeast of Pokrovsk.
Politico writes that while the successes of the unexpected Kursk operation have boosted morale in Ukraine, Russian troops are striking back by capturing new territories in the Donetsk region.
