Massive attacks on Russia become systemic, Kursk is priority for Russians. Serhiy Zgurets’ column

Ukraine strikes at military and industrial facilities in Russia

On the night of January 24, Ukraine's Defense Forces launched successful strikes on a number of industrial and military sites in Russia, including in the Ryazan and Bryansk regions. In Ryazan, an oil refinery and the Novoryazanskaya power plant were hit. These sites are located over 470 km from the front line. Additionally, aside from strikes on the oil refinery and power plant, the Defense Forces targeted the Dyagilevo airfield, where Tu-22 bombers are stationed. An aircraft repair plant is also located there. However, no details about the results of the airfield strike are available yet.

In the Bryansk region, the Kremniy plant was struck, marking the fourth attack on this facility by Ukrainian forces. The strike disrupted the plant's operations, targeting industrial lines and finished products. This plant is one of the largest in Russia for manufacturing electronics used in military products, including components for cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as for S-400 and S-300 air defense systems.

Was the strike on Russian territory on January 24 the largest? Probably not. The most significant and largest attack on Russian territory is considered to be the one carried out by Ukraine's Defense Forces on January 14. At that time, over 200 long-range drones were used to target at least 11 Russian regions. This time, Ukraine's Defense Forces used a smaller number of drones, but the key factor here is the systematic approach and the ability to deliver consistent strikes on Russian territory.

Ukraine should use its military personnel and weapons rationally 

Recently, Radio Bayraktar published an interview with the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi. In it, he said that it was necessary to rationalize the use of military personnel and weapons. Syrskyi said that he could not remember a single war where there were always enough people and weapons. He also explained that the aggressor also has significant problems. However, we have to use what we have rationally.

In this context, I would also mention another piece of news that went unnoticed in the media. Specifically, the first interview of Colonel Pavlo Palіs, Deputy Head of the President's Office, who told an Associated Press correspondent that Ukraine is in the final stages of preparing a reform aimed at recruiting young people aged 18 to 25 into military service. According to Palіs, Ukraine is working on new methods for enlisting recruits. He mentioned that the system inherited from the USSR hinders the development of the army. He also spoke about implementing a fair contract that includes financial incentives, guarantees of quality training, and measures to ensure effective communication between soldiers and commanders.

It is likely about creating financial and social conditions that would allow young people to voluntarily sign contracts with the military. These are crucial decisions, as Syrskyi and other commanders acknowledge that the main issue today is the lack of trained personnel. Ukrainian combat brigades have been holding off the Russians on the front lines for a long time and are becoming exhausted.

Russia keeps stepping up its efforts to drive the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of Kursk region

Senior officer of the communications department of the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade, Senior Sergeant Petro Haidashchuk, spoke about the combat situation in the Kursk region. According to him, the Russian troops constantly attempt to conduct assault operations in order to dislodge Ukrainian Armed Forces units from their positions. Almost every day, the Russian forces launch attacks with assault groups supported by armored vehicles, artillery, and drones. However, Haidashchuk emphasized that in the area of responsibility of the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade, Ukrainian units successfully hold their positions and inflict significant losses on the enemy.

North Korean military conducts assaults in large groups in the open

Petro Haidashchuk reported that the tactics of North Korean troops differ from the Russians. Specifically, North Korean soldiers do not operate in small assault groups. They conduct assault operations in large groups of 50 or more soldiers. Often, their offensive actions take place in open terrain, where they attack Ukrainian Armed Forces positions in full view. North Korean troops also disregard Ukrainian drones during attacks, attempting to shoot them down with firearms. They move quickly and try to get as close as possible to Ukrainian positions.

He noted that recently there has also been the use of small assault groups for attacks. He added that Russian prisoners of war mentioned they had trained for combat alongside North Korean troops on the same training grounds. According to the Russian prisoners, the North Korean soldiers have enough preparation time, are better equipped, have Russian weaponry, and even better food. Their main task is to storm Ukrainian Armed Forces positions, and only upon success do the Russians follow to secure the positions and conduct defensive actions. 

The senior sergeant suggested that North Korean forces are developing their own tactics on the battlefield. At the beginning of their involvement in assault operations, Ukrainian units observed constant attacks with large numbers of personnel. Now, however, North Korean assault actions have become more combined in nature, with them attacking in both large and small groups. Haidashchuk emphasized that they are indeed experimenting with different tactics, learning, and trying to apply this experience back to the battlefield.

Russian forces spare no effort to conduct assaults in Kursk region

Petro Haidashchuk also reported that the intensity of combat operations in their brigade's area of responsibility has slightly decreased. However, there have been no significant changes. This direction remains highly critical and important for the Russians. As a result, they will continue to throw all available reserves onto the Kursk front. 

The Russian army attempts assault actions daily towards the Ukrainian Armed Forces' positions. Specifically, as Haidashchuk explained, if the weather conditions are favorable, the Russian troops also use equipment for the assault, such as armored vehicles and IFVs. This equipment is frequently used to quickly deliver infantry assault groups as close as possible to the Ukrainian positions. After such actions, the Russian vehicles turn back in the opposite direction. Sometimes IFVs support their own airborne troops with fire.

He also mentioned that the use of guided bombs by the Russians remains a problem for Ukrainian units. The Russian forces drop guided bombs not only at Ukrainian territory but also at their own settlements under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Additionally, the use of fiber-optic UAVs by the enemy has become a challenging issue for the Ukrainian forces, as electronic warfare systems are unable to counter such drones. Fiber-optic UAVs can be physically destroyed or their operators neutralized. Haidashchuk added that while a key advantage of fiber-optic drones is that electronic warfare systems do not affect them, a major drawback is the limited range due to the fiber-optic cable. Therefore, the countermeasure against fiber-optic UAVs is the use of nets and grids on armored vehicles.