Full Offensive? Ukraine Is Now Taking the Fight to Russia (As In Inside Russia)
The Ukrainian military continues with its offensive operation inside Russia, making significant advances over the past 48 hours. What began as a cross-border raid might be developing into a full-blown offensive that captures Russian cities and threatens key logistical functions – even a nuclear facility.
Summary and Key Points: The Ukrainian military has launched a significant offensive operation inside Russia, capturing 135 square miles of territory and advancing 15 miles into Kursk Oblast. This marks a shift from a cross-border raid to a full-blown offensive, threatening key Russian logistical lines and potentially even a nuclear facility.
-The move is seen as an alternative strategy to the stalled counteroffensive along the contact line, aiming to force Russia to divert resources.
-Meanwhile, Russian casualties have been heavy, with over 1,140 men reportedly lost in 24 hours. Ukrainian losses are also substantial but include many wounded who return to combat.
Ukraine’s Bold Offensive Inside Russia Seizes Key Territory and Cities
The Ukrainian military continues with its offensive operation inside Russia, making significant advances over the past 48 hours.
What began as a cross-border raid might be developing into a full-blown offensive that captures Russian cities and threatens key logistical functions – even a nuclear facility.
Ukrainian Offensive Inside Russia
The Ukrainian push inside Russia has seized about 135 square miles of territory, and Ukrainian troops have reached targets as far as 15 miles deep in Kursk Oblast. The Ukrainians have captured some urban centers and routed Russian units sent to fend off the attack.
The Ukrainian offensive threatens a key railway line that runs parallel to Ukraine and is used to support Russian operations.
On a strategic level, the Ukrainian offensive inside Russia has shown that there are alternatives to a stalemated frontline. Last June, the Ukrainian military launched a large-scale counteroffensive in the southern and central part of the contact line. The goal was to achieve an operational breakthrough and move the frontlines to Crimea. Kyiv failed. The Russian military anticipated the counteroffensive and built the most extensive fortifications Europe has seen since World War Two.
Lacking the requisite combat power to punch through these defenses, Ukraine needs alternatives. Invading Russia could be a viable option if it forces the Kremlin to relocate forces from the contact line and thus allows for progress along the contact line.
It remains to be seen whether the Ukrainian military leadership launched the offensive just to distract the Russian forces, or if Ukraine means to establish a foothold on enemy territory and expand the contact line.
On an interesting military history note, some Ukrainian units involved in the offensive operation inside Russia use the Marder infantry fighting vehicle. Built in Germany and provided by the German military to Ukraine, the Marder is a capable armored vehicle that transports and supports mechanized infantry. This is the first time since World War Two that a German military machine has been used in anger against Russian troops in Russia.
Russian Casualties in the Ukraine War
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to take heavy casualties in the fighting. Over the past 24 hours, the Russian military and pro-Russian separatist forces reportedly lost approximately 1,140 men killed, wounded, and captured.
Further losses reportedly include 81 unmanned aerial systems; 59 tactical vehicles and fuel trucks; 40 artillery pieces and multiple launch rocket systems; 9 infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers; 8 pieces of special equipment; 4 air defense systems; 3 cruise missiles; 2 main battle tanks; 1 transport helicopter; and 1 fighter jet.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Russian forces have lost almost 590,000 men in about 900 days of fighting, or an average of approximately 655 men every day.
Ukrainian forces have also suffered significant casualties. Although the Ukrainian government keeps a tight lid on its losses, it is estimated that Kyiv has lost as many as 300,000 men in the fighting. However, contrary to the Russian losses, a lot of the Ukrainian casualties are wounded instead of killed and eventually return to the frontlines.
About the Author
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
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