Russia deploys more forces in Kursk Oblast after initial disarray

Russia has reinforced its troop presence in Kursk Oblast following initial "disarray and disorganization" during last week's Ukrainian incursions. According to a UK Defence Intelligence report dated August 16, Ukrainian forces have penetrated the Russian border region to a depth of 10-25 kilometers over a 40-kilometer front.

The report highlights that Russian defense lines and border troops were initially unprepared for these attacks. However, after the initial setbacks, Russia has now deployed additional forces to the region, likely redeploying them from other parts of the contact line. In response to the Ukrainian advances, Russian forces have also started constructing additional defensive positions to bolster their defenses.

Russians attacked the Nikopol district in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Russian forces carried out multiple attacks on the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast from the evening of August 15 through the morning of August 16. The assaults involved artillery, kamikaze drones, and munitions dropped from UAVs, causing significant damage to infrastructure, utility company premises, and residential buildings.

According to Serhii Lysak, Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, the attacks targeted the hromadas of Nikopol, Pokrovsk, and Marhanets. The strikes damaged a utility company's facilities, a house, a garage, and a fire engine. Additionally, a power line and an unused building were hit, with the latter catching fire, which was later extinguished.

Ukrainian forces pushed into Russia's Belgorod Oblast alongside advance in Kursk, but fierce fighting ensued there

A few days ago, Ukrainian troops made a push into Russia's Belgorod Oblast, following their advance into the neighboring Kursk region. However, they encountered stiff resistance from Russian forces.

According to The Washington Post (WP), which spoke to Ukrainian soldiers involved in the incursion, the Russian troops in Belgorod were well-prepared, in stark contrast to the more rapid advances Ukrainian forces achieved in Kursk. The area was heavily fortified with dragon’s teeth antitank obstacles and extensively mined. Ukrainian forces came under intense artillery, drone, and aerial bomb attacks almost immediately upon crossing the border into the village of Kolotilovka.

The Ukrainian soldiers managed to advance approximately six miles (around 10 km) and captured abandoned Russian positions. However, the fighting was fierce, with all members of the Ukrainian group sustaining injuries on the first day of the incursion. Many were concussed, severely wounded, or killed. Survivors were forced to take cover in Russian trenches for several days until an armored vehicle could evacuate them for medical treatment on August 15.

This operation comes on the heels of reports that Ukrainian forces had established the first military commandants' office in Russia's Kursk Oblast, as reported by Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.