Russian forces dig trenches 1.5 km from Sudzha in Kursk region

According to Radio Liberty's Russian service, based on OSINTtechnical and BBC reports, satellite images reveal that Russia is constructing trenches near the Lgov-Sudzha highway, 1.5 km from Sudzha. The nearest trench is situated 45 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, close to the village of Viktorivka. Additionally, another trench has been dug 75 kilometers away at the intersection of the Selikhovy Dvory-Ivanino and Dyakonovo-Sudzha highways near Kursk.

The BBC reports that Russians are currently seeking laborers to dig trenches in the Kursk region. In recent days, more than 30 such job listings have been found on the Russian online service Avito.

Workers are being offered 5,000 to 7,000 rubles per shift to dig trenches and build fortifications like pillboxes and anti-tank obstacles.

One advertisement from a St. Petersburg construction company states, "We need laborers without experience for the construction of the second (reserve) line of defense in the Kursk region, specifically for building fortifications (trenches, pillboxes, anti-tank obstacles)."

These ads are being posted in various cities across Russia, including Moscow, often with the promise of future employment in construction companies.

One ad from a Russian company is seeking a crawler excavator operator, offering a salary of up to 1,000 rubles per hour. The job is located in Kursk "on the second line of defense" and involves digging trenches. The work is round-the-clock.

Some ads mention that candidates must undergo two weeks of training at local sites in Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Ufa before being sent to Kursk, and this will happen "only if the candidate wishes," according to the BBC. The article notes that most ads do not specify how many workers are needed. However, a job posting from a private individual in the temporarily occupied Crimea indicates that 50-100 workers are required to dig trenches in Kursk. The ad also assures that the work will be done "outside the combat zone" and that there is "no danger."

• The Wall Street Journal, citing its own sources, reported that Russian military leaders have decided to withdraw some of their occupation forces from Ukraine to redeploy them to the Kursk region in response to Ukraine’s military operations.
• On August 13, John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator at the White House National Security Council, suggested that if Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is concerned about the developments in the Kursk region, he could choose to end the war.
• Ukrainian defenders continue to advance in Russia’s Kursk region. Since the start of August 14, the Defense Forces have captured over 100 Russian soldiers.