On the night of August 16-17, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces conducted an operation targeting a vehicle carrying Russian Lieutenant General Esedulla Abachev, deputy commander of the Sever group, near Rylsk in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. The attack resulted in serious injuries to Abachev, reportedly necessitating amputation of a limb. The Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office had previously filed charges against Abachev in 2023 due to his command of a Russian-backed group and orders to bomb settlements in Luhansk Oblast. This operation follows reports from Ukrainian intelligence about a strike on a Russian convoy in the same region.
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During a May 20th visit by Vladimir Putin to Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale drone attack. Kursk Oblast’s air defense forces intercepted 46 drones. The defense of Putin’s helicopter was a key element of this operation, placing it at the center of the counter-drone efforts. This unprecedented attack highlights the escalating conflict and the significant security measures surrounding Putin’s movements.
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On May 4th, the Ukrainian Air Force targeted a Russian drone control center near Tetkino, Kursk Oblast, resulting in the reported deaths of up to 20 Russian soldiers and the destruction of equipment. This location, less than 10 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, housed crews operating reconnaissance and attack drones. This strike is one of several Ukrainian attacks targeting Russian rear-area facilities to disrupt the war effort. Simultaneously, Russia continues its own drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, causing significant civilian casualties.
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Russia declared full recapture of Kursk Oblast on April 26th, but President Putin later acknowledged remaining Ukrainian forces seeking evacuation. Ukraine denies a complete Russian victory, asserting continued fighting and defensive operations in the region. The conflict involves a major Russian counteroffensive launched in March following a Ukrainian incursion in August 2024, the first such action into Russia since World War II. Russia recently acknowledged the participation of North Korean troops in the fighting.
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Ukraine’s General Staff reported 62,400 Russian military casualties in Kursk Oblast, comprising 25,200 irreversible losses and 36,200 injuries, along with 983 prisoners of war. This follows Russia’s claim of recapturing the oblast and the involvement of North Korean troops, a claim denied by Ukraine, which also reported over 4,500 North Korean casualties. The Ukrainian operation, launched in August 2024, aimed to disrupt a planned Russian offensive and divert resources from eastern Ukraine.
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Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to President Putin the complete liberation of Kursk Oblast from Ukrainian forces, claiming a significant Ukrainian loss of 76,000 personnel. Gerasimov specifically acknowledged the contribution of North Korean troops in this operation. Putin declared the Ukrainian incursion a failed “adventure.” However, Ukraine disputes the Russian claims of heavy losses and reports ongoing fighting along the border, with Russian forces massing troops near Sumy Oblast.
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On March 26, Ukrainian forces successfully targeted a Russian command and observation post near Viktorovka and Uspenovka in Kursk Oblast, eliminating the commander of the 1st Battalion, 9th Motor Rifle Regiment. This strike, part of ongoing operations in the region following a larger incursion in August, reflects Ukraine’s strategy of weakening Russian capabilities by targeting key command centers. While the claims remain unverified, the attack underscores the continued conflict within Russian territory. These actions aim to diminish Russia’s offensive potential.
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Following a six-month Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, a Russian drone offensive in late February crippled Ukrainian supply lines, forcing a withdrawal of approximately 10,000 troops. This organized retreat, despite some chaotic elements, refuted claims by President Trump of a surrounded and vulnerable Ukrainian force. Experts contradict Trump’s assertion, emphasizing the absence of encircled troops and the successful evacuation. Trump’s statement appears to align with Putin’s narrative amidst potential ceasefire negotiations.
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Facing a critical situation in Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian forces are assessing a potential withdrawal of approximately 10,000 troops threatened by encirclement following Russian breakthroughs that severed supply lines. This follows reports of decreased US intelligence sharing, impacting operations and potentially weakening Ukraine’s negotiating position in upcoming peace talks. The Russian offensive involved a significant role from North Korean troops, redeployed to the region after a temporary pullback. A Ukrainian incursion launched in August 2024 has resulted in substantial territorial losses for Ukraine in the ensuing six months of fighting.
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In Kursk Oblast, Russia, the Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade decisively repelled an assault by the Russian 155th Naval Infantry Brigade, utilizing mines and drone strikes to inflict heavy casualties. This victory, following earlier successes against Russian and North Korean forces, expands the Ukrainian salient in the region, a strategically important area. The salient’s capture serves as a bargaining chip in potential negotiations with Russia, although these are complicated by President Trump’s demands for Ukrainian resources in exchange for continued U.S. aid. The 47th Brigade’s continued success buys time for President Zelenskyy to navigate these complex diplomatic and political challenges.
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John Q. Hosedrinker