Russia pulls elite troops to Kursk region instead of offensive in Ukraine east
Photo: Russian forces are amassing troops in the Kursk region to push back the Ukrainian Armed Forces (Getty Images)
Russia continues assaults in the Kursk region and is establishing security zones in the Sumy region. Because of this, Russian forces are redeploying paratrooper and marine units from eastern Ukraine to the Kursk region, informs the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"Russia is forced to transfer reserves from other directions, including airborne forces and naval infantry, which were supposed to strengthen offensive actions in the Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Orikhiv directions," the statement said.
The Defense Forces' operation in the Kursk region has been ongoing for more than nine months. According to the General Staff, key objectives have been successfully achieved.
"For the first time in 11 years of war, combat operations have been moved onto Russian territory. At the peak of the operation, the Ukrainian forces controlled up to 1,300 square kilometers of enemy territory. The enemy's plans to create a so-called security zone in the Sumy region were thwarted. The world has seen the inability of the Russian army to hold its own borders 'under lock and key,'" the Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasized.
To deter the Ukrainian troops, the enemy was forced to send its most combat-ready units to the Kursk region. It also deployed reserves and 12,000 North Korean soldiers. This allowed two enemy armies to form an effective group aimed at changing the situation on the front.
In addition, the Russians established superiority in drones. Their air force carried out an unprecedented number of airstrikes using guided bombs on their own territory.
"The enemy was forced to redistribute tactical aviation flight resources — 60 to 70 percent of daily airstrikes were redirected specifically to the Kursk direction. As a result of these airstrikes by their own forces, the city of Sudzha was almost completely destroyed," the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated.
Russian losses in the Kursk region
Since August 6, 2024, the enemy has lost 63,172 personnel killed and wounded. About 4,000 of them are citizens of North Korea. A total of 968 enemy soldiers have been taken prisoner.
Overall, 5,607 units of Russian weapons and military equipment have been destroyed or damaged:
- 199 tanks;
- 1,045 troop-carrying AFVs;
- 636 artillery systems;
- 17 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS);
- 15 anti-aircraft systems;
- 1 aircraft;
- 3 helicopters;
- 1,567 UAV operational-tactical level;
- 2,068 vehicles & fuel tanks;
- 56 special equipment.
North Korea fights against Ukraine
Last fall, North Korea sent troops who were later deployed in the Kursk region. They are participating in combat operations against Ukraine.
According to the latest South Korean intelligence, North Korea has lost 4,700 soldiers in the war against Ukraine.
Last month, Russia publicly acknowledged for the first time that North Korean soldiers are fighting against Ukraine in the Kursk region. North Korea itself also confirmed the involvement of its military in the war.
Additionally, North Korea also supplies Russia with ammunition, ballistic missiles used to shell Ukraine, and various weapons systems, including artillery.
