Russia withdraws troops from Ukraine’s frontline to confront Ukrainian army in Kursk region – WSJ
14 August 2024 09:02
Ukraine’s offensive on the Kursk region of Russia is forcing Russia to redeploy military units from other locations, including the frontline in Ukraine. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" citing a number of reports from Western officials and the media.
For example, The Wall Street Journal reports that Russia is forced to transfer units from Ukraine to Kursk. The publication cites US officials.
“Officials said the U.S. was still trying to determine the significance of Russia’s move and did not say how many troops the U.S. estimated Russia was moving. But the new U.S. estimate confirms statements by Ukrainian officials who said last week’s surprise invasion of the Kursk region drew Russian troops away from Ukraine, where Moscow’s superiority in manpower and equipment allows it to push forward in several places,”
– wSJ writes.
Russia is forced to move troops to Kursk region not only from the Ukrainian front, but also from other locations. During a visit to Kyiv, Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurinas Kasciunas said that Russia is forced to weaken even the outposts in its European enclave of Kaliningrad.
“I say to the Lithuanian people: “Look at how Ukrainians are fighting for you, because because of their struggle, they [Russia] have to withdraw their troops from Kaliningrad. We even call it the ‘demilitarisation’ of Kaliningrad, which is happening thanks to the bravery of your military, thanks to your decisions,”
– the minister said.
Russian Telegram channels, meanwhile, report that the Russian Federation has almost reached a consensus that the Ukrainian invasion of Kursk region can and should be repelled by conscripts.
Earlier, we recall that the so-called “SVO” was composed mainly of voluntarily mobilised soldiers serving under contract. Now, various units, including conscripts, are being deployed to the battlefield in the Kursk region.
What is happening in the Kursk region
on 6 August, the Russians announced a “breakthrough” of the border from Ukraine in the Kursk region.
Fighting has been going on for seven days in the border areas of the Kursk region. Russia has now introduced a counter-terrorism operation in three regions bordering Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed the information about the invasion of the region. However, the General Staff of Ukraine has not yet commented on the situation.
According to media reports, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have advanced 30 km into the region. Journalists also report a constant stream of armoured personnel carriers and tanks moving towards Russia.
According to AFP, thousands of Ukrainian troops are taking part in a military operation in the Kursk region of Russia.
on 13 August, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported to Supreme Commander-in-Chief Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukrainians control 74 settlements in the Kursk region.
