Putin ordered to retake Kursk by 1 October – Forbes
12 September 2024 15:37
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his troops to repel the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region by 1 October. At the moment, Russian troops have begun attacking Ukrainian positions on the left and right flanks of the ledge formed during the Ukrainian attack, reports "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Forbes.
Thus, last Wednesday, Russian troops launched a counterattack on the western flank of the Ukrainian advance. This allowed many analysts to declare that “Russia’s counter-offensive to drive Ukrainians out of the Kursk region has officially begun”.
The main attack was directed at the village of Snagosk, which is located 8 miles from the border, south of the Seim River. The Russian 51st Airborne Division used at least eight tanks and armoured vehicles to attack the village. However, after several hours of fighting, Snahosk remained disputed territory. According to the Ukrainian analytical group Deep State, the situation on the left flank of the Ukrainian group in Kursk has become more complicated.
It is not known how the Russians got to Snahosk, as all bridges across the Seim in the area were destroyed by Ukrainian troops, and even pontoon bridges built by Russian troops were damaged.
At the same time, another Russian group launched an offensive on the village of Ulanok, which is on the right flank of Ukrainian forces in Kursk region.
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The situation is difficult for Ukraine, which is at risk on several fronts. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces took a risk by deciding to attack the Kursk region when, in the east, in Donetsk region, the Russian 2nd Army continues its offensive on Pokrovsk, a major Ukrainian stronghold controlling important supply lines.
The Ukrainian defenders in Pokrovsk are outnumbered – four to one compared to the Russians, according to Forbes. In addition, the 47th Mechanised Brigade, which had been fighting continuously for 15 months, was recently withdrawn from the front. Nevertheless, Ukrainian generals decided that the capture of part of the Kursk region was worth the losses in the Donetsk region. They left a few brigades in reserve to defend Pokrovsk, but most of their best units and equipment, including elite airborne brigades with Western tanks and armoured vehicles, were sent to Kursk.
These Ukrainian forces in Kursk are now under attack at the far end of their supply lines, which stretch from the city of Sumy. The frontline is constantly changing. According to the Centre for Defence Strategies, Russian forces have retaken the village of Ulanok on the right flank of the Ukrainian advance, while Ukrainian forces on the left flank continue to attack southwest of Snagosmok, despite the village itself being in danger of falling back under Russian control.
Five weeks have passed since the start of the Ukrainian operation in Kursk, and there is still debate about the wisdom of this decision. If Ukraine succeeds in holding the Kursk region, it could become an important argument in future peace talks. However, if the Ukrainians lose control of the area to Russian counterattacks, they may not gain anything from the operation.
“Two things are clear: the Ukrainians need to strengthen their defensive lines in the east and hold the territory in Kursk,”
– said British Foreign Secretary John Healey.
However, it remains unclear whether they have enough forces to do so.
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