Ukrainian forces advance in Kursk region as Russia claims its progress - ISW
Photo: Ukrainian Armed Forces advanced in several settlements (Getty Images)
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have achieved new successes in Russia’s Kursk region. These advances have been confirmed by geolocated footage, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to geolocated footage from January 5 and 6, Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the southern part of Berdin, as well as in the central areas of the settlements of Russkoye Porechnoye and Novosotnitsky, all located northeast of Sudzha.
At the same time, Russian forces attempted to exploit Ukraine’s offensive actions to launch their own attacks elsewhere in the Ukrainian salient in the Kursk region. Geolocated footage from January 5 shows that Russian troops advanced west of Malaya Loknya, northwest of Sudzha.
Meanwhile, on January 6, Russia’s Ministry of Defense and Russian military bloggers claimed that their forces had repelled a Ukrainian mechanized assault of approximately one platoon in the Berdino and Novosotnitskoye areas. Russian bloggers also alleged that several Russian units cleared areas near the two previously mentioned settlements. According to war correspondents, Russian forces reportedly captured Leonidovo and advanced northeast of Russkoye Porechnoye. However, ISW found no evidence to substantiate the latter claim and has not commented on the earlier reports.
Photo: Ukrainian Armed Forces advanced in several settlements
Analysts note that one Russian war correspondent described Ukraine’s recent attacks in the Kursk region as enhanced reconnaissance-in-force operations, which may serve as a diversionary maneuver ahead of unspecified future operations.
"Increased Ukrainian offensive operations in the Kursk region may be the beginning stages of a concerted Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region or elsewhere in the theater, though ISW is unprepared to offer any specific forecast," the experts wrote.
As of the evening of January 6, 199 battles were recorded along the frontline. Nearly half of these engagements, 86 in total, occurred in the Kursk region. According to reports, as of 10:00 PM Kyiv time, Ukrainian forces had repelled 44 Russian attacks in this direction, while 42 additional battles were ongoing.
