Russia's tactics in Kursk region, situation in Toretsk sector. Serhiy Zgurets' column

Fighting in Kursk region

Vadym Mysnyk, spokesman for the Siversk military unit, told what is happening in the Kursk region: “In the area of our group's responsibility - the northern border, Chernihiv, Sumy and part of Kharkiv regions - we have built a defense, we hold the border, which is the front line. The most intense hostilities and concentration of Russian manpower and equipment are taking place in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian defense forces continue their operation using advantageous tactics. There are no fortified areas here, as in Donbass or the south, so we use active defense tactics. The situation is changing dynamically, sometimes even several times a day.”

The Russians are amassing significant forces, and they are no longer the same as at the beginning of the operation. The Siversk Joint Task Force observes changes in the composition of enemy units. The Russians are using marine brigades, the 155th Pacific Fleet Brigade, a brigade from Crimea, airborne divisions, assault battalions, and special forces battalions. They are trying to use their superiority in manpower and equipment. The enemy launches assault operations from different directions, but when the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroy their equipment, the Russians move to assault operations with small groups of infantry of several people, but very often. The intervals between such attacks can be 10-15 minutes. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are actively using drones to inflict maximum losses on the enemy. The soldiers are well aware of the climatic and terrain features of the border and skillfully use this knowledge in the Kursk region.

According to Mysnyk, the local Russian population was initially afraid, but saw that Ukrainian soldiers were following international rules of warfare, providing them with water, food, medicine, and medical care. 

“The Ukrainian Armed Forces took control of the territory without destroying the town of Sudzha and other settlements. However, the situation has changed now. The Russian forces are dropping about 50 guided bombs on this area alone. During the day, there are 200 attacks from various weapons. The population is suffering, people are injured and forced to hide in basements because the Kremlin has forgotten about them and has not organized evacuation. Vulnerable groups of the population, including the elderly and the disabled, suffer the most. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are trying to provide them with everything they need. Local residents do not understand why their villages and towns are being shelled. Later, they realize that it is Putin's order to “liberate” the area. We showed them pictures and videos from Ukraine, and now they realize that their settlements can be destroyed to the ground. This causes them fear and frustration, especially with the Russian authorities,” he said.

This week, like the entire month, has been extremely difficult for the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Now everyone is talking about the loss of territory. Indeed, according to the Institute of War Studies, the Russian troops have advanced the Ukrainian defense by more than 400 kilometers. However, it is worth mentioning other indicators, including the maximum Russian losses for the month. In October, more than 40,000 Russian personnel were killed. This demonstrates the realities of a war of attrition: the enemy is advancing, but paying a high price for it, losing manpower and equipment. Our main task is to draw the right conclusions and ensure maximum depletion of the Russian forces in all areas of the frontline. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding the line for more than a thousand kilometers, and although the frontline sometimes bends under the Russian pressure, it does not collapse. There are areas where Ukrainian soldiers are fighting bravely and courageously. 

Situation in Toretsk direction

The Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding on to this section of the frontline and even conducting counterattacks, pushing the Russian troops back from where they tried to gain a foothold. Recently, a report was received from the Luhansk operational area that the Russians remain on the eastern outskirts of the city, and the front line is not changing, with fighting continuing in and around the city. The Russians are suffering losses, and the 12th Brigade of the Azov National Guard has launched a series of counterattacks, pushing the Russian troops back. This is a good example of effective interaction between the brigades and effective leadership, which allows to restrain the enemy even in the face of numerical superiority and the use of aviation and artillery.

The 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Knights of the Winter Campaign also operates in this area.  Yevhen Alkhimov, press officer of the 28th separate mechanized brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign, described the situation in the brigade's area of responsibility: “Over the past week, as well as the week before, the Russian forces have been attacking in small groups, trying to identify our weaknesses. The activity of Russian drones has increased significantly. Just a couple of weeks ago, 50 drones were deployed at one position,” he noted.

Alkhimov spoke about his interaction with the volunteers who are officially registered with their brigade. According to him, they have a lot of experience, have fought in many places and seen a lot. Recently, there was a battle with their participation, and the interaction between the units was excellent, with artillery, drones and cluster munitions working well. The infantry did everything to prevent the Russians from getting close to their positions. The enemy was timely detected and stopped thanks to coordination with drones and artillery. One of the soldiers, a call sign Frenchman, speaks Ukrainian well, and everyone understands him perfectly. There are no problems with communication because everyone is experienced and knows what to do. They were prepared in advance and met the Russians with fire.

Regarding the Russian use of aerial bombs and artillery, the situation on this front remains stable. The greatest threat now comes from enemy drones. The Russians have likely deployed a unit with a large number of drones, as their activity has increased significantly. The Russians are also using remote mining, making rotation on the positions extremely dangerous due to the risk of encountering mines or improvised explosive devices. Movement in this area is very dangerous due to the drones," Alkhimov said.

According to him, Kurt & Company's unmanned systems division is very powerful and efficient. This is a broad-based unit that works not only with unmanned systems. They effectively destroy the enemy day and night using various means, including kamikaze drones. They detect and destroy anything that moves thanks to excellent intelligence. The Ukrainian Armed Forces can see the Russians before it has accumulated enough forces to attack, and they destroy its groups.

Recruiting for 28th Brigade

“Recruitment is always there, just like in any military unit, because the number of people is always about scaling up tasks. We are now effectively fulfilling our tasks, and the more people we have, the more we will be able to do it. We have interaction between the units, each performing its role separately. The infantry is not left on its own, it is always supported, there is always surveillance and enemy detection. We do not focus on any specialty, but gradually recruit evenly in all units. There are many vacancies, from infantryman to electronic warfare specialist, communications specialist, etc. We are always open to new people,” said Alkhimov.