Seleznyov: “The operation in Kursk region should be assessed by the resource factor”
15 October 2024 12:49
EXCLUSIVE
on 6 August 2024, Ukrainian troops entered the territory of the Kursk region of Russia, where they created a so-called “buffer sanitary zone”. Thus, Ukraine has been controlling part of the Kursk region for more than two months, conducting active defensive operations there. At the same time, Ukraine’s top military and political leadership has repeatedly stated that Ukraine does not need other people’s land and that all hostilities, including in Kursk, are conducted solely for self-defence and to liberate the occupied territories of Ukraine. "Komersant Ukrainian" asked military expert Vladislav Seleznev when it would be time to leave the territory of the Kursk region.
Selezniov is convinced that the operations in Kursk region are part of the strategic defence and that the withdrawal of the Ukrainian military is not yet appropriate. According to him, the actions of the Ukrainian army in Kursk region are still aimed at destroying Russia’s military potential.
“This is a manoeuvrable defence that allows us to minimise losses and at the same time deal serious blows to Russian forces. The enemy attacks, we counterattack, and this creates a positive dynamic for us. Daily combat clashes in unfavourable positions for the enemy lead to serious losses on their part,”
– says Selezniov.
The expert emphasises that the success of the operation directly depends on the resources available.
“The dynamics on the battlefield in the Kursk region will be determined by the resource factor. If we have enough artillery and armoured vehicles, the operation will continue. If not, there may be some movement,”
– Selezniov explains.
Despite this, he believes that the operation has already largely achieved its mission.
“The enemy has been forced to transfer resources from other parts of the frontline to Kursk region, and its losses there are extremely large and are not decreasing,” he emphasises,
– he emphasises.
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In addition, according to Selezniov, the Russian military leadership is not too concerned about the losses of its soldiers, which indicates a willingness to exchange territory for human lives. But the more resources they lose, the more they will have to spend to replenish them, he adds.
“We are not aiming to annex Kursk to Ukraine. Our actions are more like search and defence operations than a large-scale offensive,”
– the expert clarifies. According to him, the Ukrainian army has set up defensive positions in certain parts of the Kursk region, but it is not a solid front line.
One of the key points in such battles is the presence of light armoured vehicles and heavy infantry weapons.
“These are automatic grenade launchers, large-calibre machine guns, mortar systems – they play a crucial role in destroying enemy forces,”
– Selezniov says.
The expert notes that Ukraine is also actively using long-range weapons. For example, two large ammunition depots were destroyed in the Kursk region, which greatly complicated the supply of Russian artillery units. “
Russian artillerymen are already complaining about the lack of ammunition, as most of it was simply burned during the strikes on the arsenals,”
– he adds.
So, despite certain difficulties, Ukrainian troops continue to hold their positions in the Kursk region, and, according to Selezniov, it is too early to talk about the evacuation of Ukrainian units. Yesterday, the Russian army carried out 12 air strikes on Ukrainian positions in Kursk region, dropping 16 guided bombs on Russian territory, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported.
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