Russian counteroffensive starts in Kursk region, Ukrainian military expert comments

On his Telegram channel, Kovalenko noted that in the second month of Ukraine's Kursk operation Russian forces had begun actions resembling a counteroffensive.

Kovalenko stated that with over 35,000 troops now stationed in the Kursk region, Russian commanders believe they have sufficient strength to push Ukrainian forces out of the area. 

According to Kovalenko, the Russian counteroffensive is unfolding in four directions: Apanasovka-Snagost, Zhuravli-Kalinov, Pogrebki, and Borki.

• In the Apanasovka-Snagost area: to unblock the Glushkovsky district and regain control of the Korenevo-Troitskoye road.

• In the Zhuravli-Kalinov area: to reclaim control over the Korenevo-Safonovka logistics route to simplify supply lines on the northern front.

• In the Pogrebki area: to secure access to the Lgov-Sudzha road and the Sudzha area from the north.

• In the Borki area: to close the southeastern sector of Ukrainian control along the Psel River.

Kovalenko also listed the Russian units involved in the counteroffensive:

• 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade,
• the 56th Guards Air Assault Regiment,
• the 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade, the 11th Guards Air Assault Brigade,
• the 144th Guards Motor Rifle Division, the 71st Motor Rifle Regiment, the 38th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade,
• the 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade,
• the 200th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade,
• the “Pyatnashka” Brigade,
• and the 22nd BARS detachment.

The Russian command has authorized the increased use of mechanized units and equipment, although artillery use remains limited. Due to this, Russian forces have reduced their use of guided aerial bombs on the front lines, which remain unstable, the military expert added.

“Currently, the Russian army has a numerical advantage in the area, but this has been the case for some time. The next 24 hours will reveal the potential outcomes of this counteroffensive,” he concluded.

• Ukrainian military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko summarized the first month of Ukraine's operation in Russia's Kursk region.