In Kursk, Ukraine Launches Surprise New Offensive, Gains 5 Kms

Ukrainian forces launched yet another surprise offensive in Kursk oblast, quickly gaining 5 kilometers as surprised Russian units unsuccessfully attempted to stem the advance. 

It is apparent that Ukraine regards the territory it holds in Kursk as key to future ceasefire negotiations, especially when they are able demonstrate that the Russian military remains ineffective and poorly led. Understanding that Trump despises weakness, this offensive thrust is designed to take advantage of Russian disorganization in the sector as North Korean troops lick their wounds and Russian units remain understrength. JL

Yuri Zoria reports in Euromaidan Press:

Ukrainian forces launched a series of battalion-sized mechanized assaults in Kursk Oblast on 6 February, advancing up to five kilometers behind Russian lines southeast of Sudzha. Ukrainian forces attacked in several waves toward Cherkasskaya Konopelka and Ulanok with up to two mechanized battalions, deploying 30 to 50 armored vehicles in the operation. Ukrainian forces launched the attacks during poor weather conditions that hampered Russian drone operations. Further Ukrainian advances could threaten rear areas of Russian forces attacking Guyevo and complicate Russia’s ability to interdict Ukrainian supply lines.

Ukrainian forces launched a series of battalion-sized mechanized assaults in Kursk Oblast on 6 February, advancing up to five kilometers behind Russian lines southeast of Sudzha, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported.

On 6 August 2024, Ukrainian forces launched a significant cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, marking the first such operation since World War II. This surprise offensive aimed to divert Russian military resources from other frontlines, alleviate pressure on Ukrainian territories, and challenge the perceived invulnerability of Russian borders. Initially, the Ukrainians secured around 1,000 square kilometers. As of early February 2025, Ukrainian forces maintain their positions within Kursk Oblast, controlling about half of the initially seized territory.

Geolocated footage showed Ukrainian forces advanced southwest of Makhnovka and north and east of Cherkasskaya Konopelka along the 38K-028 Sudzha-Oboyan highway, seizing the villages of Kolmakov and Fanaseyevka.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed Ukrainian forces attacked in several waves toward Cherkasskaya Konopelka and Ulanok with up to two mechanized battalions of armored vehicles, stating Russian forces repelled the attack.

 

Russian military bloggers estimated Ukrainian forces deployed 30 to 50 armored vehicles in the operation. According to these sources, one Ukrainian group successfully attacked from Makhnovka towards Cherkasskaya Konopelka, Fanaseyevka, and Ulanok, while Russian forces reportedly repelled another group attacking from Dmitriukov towards Russkaya Konopelka.

 

Conflicting reports emerged about territorial gains, with some Russian sources claiming Ukrainian forces seized Ulanok, while others denied these claims. A Kremlin-linked Russian milblogger claimed Ukrainian forces seized Cherkasskaya Konopelka, but two others refuted it.

“ISW has not yet observed geolocated evidence to assess that Ukrainian forces are operating in Ulanok. The Ukrainian General Staff published a map on February 6 indicating that Russian forces recently marginally advanced in a forested area southwest of Kurilovka,” ISW wrote.

A Kremlin-linked Russian milblogger reported unconfirmed Ukrainian attacks near Kruglenkoye, but ISW found no further claims of activity there or near Berdin.

Russian military bloggers reported that Ukrainian forces launched the attacks during poor weather conditions that hampered Russian drone operations in the area. Some expressed concern that further Ukrainian advances could threaten rear areas of Russian forces attacking Guyevo and complicate Russia’s ability to interdict Ukrainian supply lines.

Russian sources identified several units defending against the Ukrainian attacks, including elements of the 11th Airborne Brigade, the Black Sea’s 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, the 44th Army Corps’ 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment, the Caspian Flotilla’s 177th Naval Infantry Regiment, and Chechen Akhmat drone operators.