“The Russian military command predicted that Ukraine could start its operation in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation and for several months was developing plans to prevent it, writes The Guardian with reference to documents that the Ukrainian army removed from the remaining Russian positions in this region.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
The Russian military command predicted that Ukraine could start its operation in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation and for several months was developing plans to prevent it, writes The Guardian with reference to documents that the Ukrainian army removed from the remaining Russian positions in this region.
Source: The Guardian
Details: The publication writes that its journalists met with Ukrainian special forces at the end of August, which seized Russian documents. Russian documents of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB, and the army were among those seized from buildings in the Kursk region. Journalists had the opportunity to view them and take pictures.
The publication notes that it could not independently verify the authenticity of the documents, but at the same time emphasizes that “they have signs of genuine Russian army communications.”
These Russian documents contain months-long warnings about a possible offensive by Ukrainian troops, and also indicate concerns about the morale of the Russian military.
Some of the documents are printed orders sent to various units, while others are handwritten journals recording events and problems at specific positions. The earliest records date to the end of 2023, while the most recent documents date to just six weeks before Ukraine launched its offensive on Kursk Oblast on August 6.
The documents mainly come from units of the 488th Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, in particular from the second company of its 17th battalion.
“Ukraine’s offensive into Kursk region caught Kyiv’s Western partners and many members of the Ukrainian elite by surprise, as very few people were involved in the planning of the operation. But Russian military documents contain months-long warnings of a possible invasion of the area and an attempt to capture Suja, a town of 5,000 residents. which has been under Ukrainian control for more than a month,” The Guardian writes.
In particular, the “possibility of a breakthrough on the state border” by the Ukrainian armed forces was discussed in the message dated January 4. At the same time, Russian troops were ordered to intensify training in order to prepare for repelling any attack.
On February 19, commanders of Russian units were warned about Ukraine’s plans for “a quick breakthrough from the Sumy region deep into Russian territory to a depth of up to 80 km in order to create a four-day “corridor” until the arrival of the main armored units of the Ukrainian army.”
In mid-March, Russian border units were ordered to strengthen defensive lines and “organize additional exercises” in preparation for a cross-border attack by Ukraine.
“In mid-June, there was a more specific warning about Ukrainian plans “in the direction of Yunakivka – Suja, with the aim of taking control of Suja”, which indeed happened in August. It was also predicted that Ukraine would try to destroy the bridge over the Seim River in order to cut off Russian supply lines in the region, which later happened. In the June document, it was complained that the Russian units stationed at the front are “only 60-70% manned on average and mainly consist of poorly trained reservists,” writes The Guardian.
The publication reminds: when the offensive of Ukrainian troops began on August 6, many Russian soldiers left their positions, and within a week Ukraine took full control of Suja. Also, during the chaotic retreat of the Russians, Ukrainian troops captured hundreds of soldiers, many of whom were conscripts.
The Guardian writes that the obtained documents provide insight into Russian tactics over the past year. One of the orders stated that it was not necessary to create trenches and positions with models of tanks and mannequins of soldiers in order to confuse Ukrainian reconnaissance drones. It was also indicated that several soldiers should be sent to these positions to light fires at night, walk with torches and move the mannequins from time to time. In addition, the Russians were to create radio communications about these positions in order to intercept them.
The publication emphasizes that it is unclear whether such positions were ever created. Operators of Ukrainian reconnaissance drones operating in the area told the Guardian they saw no evidence of such positions.
In March, Russian documents reported that cases of Ukrainian sabotage groups disguising themselves to work behind Russian troops by wearing Russian uniforms had become more frequent. In order to prevent this, Russian commanders were required to introduce in the army the use of certain identification signs “variant #6”, which were to be attached with transparent tape.
These documents also indicate serious problems with the morale of Russians at the front. In particular, they mention the suicides of Russian soldiers.
In addition, it appears from them that the commanders of Russian units were instructed to ensure that the soldiers watched Russian state media daily to support their “psychological state”.
Read also: Syrsky Raid. How is the offensive of the Defense Forces in the Kursk region progressing and what to expect next
“At least turn on YouTube for us.” UP report from Suja and its suburbs two weeks after the Defense Forces offensive
Prehistory:
- The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Russian Colonel-General Oleksandr Lapin, who oversaw security in the Kursk region, dissolved the council tasked with protecting the vulnerable border region a few months before Ukraine’s operation.
- It was also reported that Ukraine is surrounding Russian troops in Kurshchyna and is preparing for prolonged battles.
- The operation in the Kursk region began on August 6.
- As of August 20, the Ukrainian military took control of more than 1,260 square kilometers of territory and 93 settlements in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.
- On September 13, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that the Russians had begun their “quick offensive actions” in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, but had not achieved any serious results.
- On September 18, the representative of the military commandant’s office in the Kursk region, Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyi, said that Russia’s counteroffensive aimed at recapturing the territory under the control of the Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region has been “stopped”.