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Ukraine SitRep: Ukrainian Army Chief Reveals Lack of Strategy Behind Kursk Incursion
With the help of a CNN interview the Ukrainian Commander in Chief General Syrski is hoping to gain more support from western sources.
Exclusive: Ukraine army chief reveals the strategy behind Kursk incursion – CNN, Sept 5 2024
In his first television interview since becoming military chief in February, the general told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that he believed the Kursk operation had been a success.
“It reduced the threat of an enemy offensive. We prevented them from acting. We moved the fighting to the enemy’s territory so that [the enemy] could feel what we feel every day,” Syrskyi said, in a rare interview that offered a candid assessment of the war.
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Speaking to Amanpour at an undisclosed location near the frontline, the general, who took over as army chief in February, said Moscow moved tens of thousands of troops to Kursk, including some of its best airborne assault troops.
And while admitting that Ukraine was under immense pressure in the area around Pokrovsk, the strategic city that has for weeks been the epicenter of war in eastern Ukraine, Syrskyi said his troops have now managed to stall the Russian advances there.
“Over the last six days the enemy hasn’t advanced a single meter in the Pokrovsk direction. In other words, our strategy is working.” he said.
Maps as provided by the pro-Ukrainian LiveUAmap:
Pokrovsk region – Aug 30, 2024
biggerPokrovsk region – Sept 6, 2024
bigger
I can identify at least three areas where the maps show differences in favor of the Russian side. Top to bottom:
- North and north-west of Niu York:
Pivnichek east of Toretsk has changed hands. The Russia line has moved in several place there to envelope Toretsk city and, a bit further south, Nelipivka.
- North of Selydove:
Novohrodivka which is no longer partially but now completely in Russian hands.
- East of Ukrainski:
There is a new Russian protrusion developing southward. A zoomed-in view shows that the hamlet of Halytsynivka with the crossing of the COS112 and COS1139 roads has come under Russian control. This cuts a supply route for the Ukrainian troops south-east of the protrusion.
These three+ minor ones are small movements that cover only some the 100 square kilometers Russian forces took last week. The previous three weeks had seen bigger ones. But they demonstrate that the Russian's haven't stopped in Pokrovsk but have – for one reason or another – halted major movements.
The reports of the Russian Ministry of Defense still note severe Ukrainian losses in the Prokrovsk region. There are no reports of any Russian troop movement from the Prokrovsk direction towards Kursk. A rotation of frontline units and local reserve forces is the most likely explanation for the current relative quietness on the frontline.
The Kursk incursion was a costly attempt to gain leverage. It failed to reach its hoped for targets further north and to cause the diversion of Russian troops from other front lines.
Syrski of course has to keep up the morale of his troops. He also has to (re-)gain more support from Ukraine's 'partners'. That explains his otherwise funny talk like this:
“We cannot fight in the same way as they do, so we must use, first of all, the most effective approach, use our forces and means with maximum use of terrain features, engineering structures and also, to use technical superiority,” he said, highlighting Ukraine’s advanced drone program and other home-grown high-tech weaponry.
Can someone point me to one Ukrainian or 'western' equipment item which is technically superior to the Russian produced equivalent? I fail to find one.
In an attempt to reduce topic drift, here’s the Russian Defence Ministry weekly wrap-up:
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (31 August – 6 September 2024)
From 31 August to 6 September 2024, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered 17 group strikes by long-range high-precision weaponry, including Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles and attack UAVs, to hit enterprises of rocket and space and aviation industry, critical power objects, missile artillery weaponry, POL, and logistics depots.
In addition, strikes were delivered at UAV assembly workshops, uncrewed surface vehicle depots as well as temporary deployment points of AFU, nationalists, and foreign mercenaries.
The AFU 179th Joint Training Centre was struck in Poltava, where under supervision of foreign instructors, electronic warfare specialists and UAV operators, which deliver strikes at civilian objects on the territory of the Russian Federation, were trained.
Units of the Sever Group of Forces continued the operation to eliminate the AFU formations in Kursk region.
Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery delivered strikes at concentration areas of personnel and hardware of six mechanised brigades, one tank brigade, two air assault brigades, one jaeger brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, and three territorial defence brigades, as well as thwarted attempts to attack and deploy reserves of the enemy.
In Volchansk and Liptsy directions, losses were inflicted on formations of one assault brigade, one jaeger brigade, one air assault brigade of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades.
The AFU losses in the area of responsibility of the Sever Group of Forces amounted to up to 3,280 troops, nine tanks, 112 armoured fighting vehicles, 135 motor vehicles, 13 MLRS launchers, including four of U.S.-made HIMARS and five of MLRS systems, 34 field artillery guns, and 12 electronic warfare stations and counter-battery radars. Six counter-attacks launched by the enemy’s assault detachments were repelled.
Units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions and inflicted losses on formations of five mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one assault brigade of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, one national guard brigade, and the Azov Special Operations Brigade. Fourteen counter-attacks launched by AFU assault detachments were repelled.
The AFU losses amounted to more than 3,350 troops, three tanks, 10 armoured fighting vehicles, including two U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, 42 motor vehicles, 37 field artillery guns, with 21 of them supplied to Ukraine by Western countries.
Moreover, 14 electronic warfare stations and counter-battery radars as well as 45 field ammunition depots were destroyed.
Units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of seven mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one infantry brigade, one airmobile brigade, three assault brigades of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades. Six counter-attacks launched by AFU assault detachments were repelled.
The AFU losses amounted to more than 4,725 troops, two tanks, three armoured fighting vehicles, 29 motor vehicles, and 45 field artillery guns, including 18 made by the NATO countries.
Eleven electronic warfare stations and 20 field ammunition depots were destroyed.
As a result of active and decisive actions, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Kirovo, Ptichye, Skuchnoye, Karlovka, Zavetnoye, and Zhuravka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
Losses were inflicted on formations of five mechanised brigades, one infantry brigade, one jaeger brigade, one air assault brigade of the AFU, one national guard brigade, and one territorial defence brigade. Fifty-three counter-attacks launched by AFU units were repelled.
The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 3,515 troops, four tanks, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, and 32 field artillery guns.
Units of the Vostok Group of Forces liberated Prechistovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), took more advantageous lines and positions, and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades. Ten counter-attacks launched by the enemy’s assault detachments were repelled.
The AFU losses amounted to up to 860 troops, three tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, 29 motor vehicles, six field artillery guns, including three Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery systems.
Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of two mechanised brigades, one infantry brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, one coastal defence brigade, and three territorial defence brigades.
The AFU losses amounted to up to 485 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, 31 motor vehicles, and six field artillery guns, including four Western-made 155-mm howitzers.
Moreover, three electronic warfare stations and four field ammunition depots were destroyed.
Over the week, air defence units shot down one MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, and intercepted seven U.S.-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, 20 French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs, 54 U.S.-made HIMARS and Czech-made Vampire MLRS projectiles as well as 367 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.
Units of the Black Sea Fleet destroyed 11 Ukrainian uncrewed surface vehicles.
Over the past week, 41 Ukrainian servicemen have surrendered on the line of contact.
In total, 642 airplanes and 283 helicopters, 31,068 unmanned aerial vehicles, 578 air defence missile systems, 17,947 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,446 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 14,158 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 25,735 units of support motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.
https://eng.mil.ru/en/special_operation/news/more.htm?id=12528133@egNews
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Sep 6 2024 17:37 utc | 136
@Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 6 2024 15:12 utc | 95
But this is the last area of urban fortresses set among hills before the Russians break through into much more open territory. Very much worth a big push before the rains set in.
The utter waste in the Kursk region is shown by the weekly losses of armoured vehicles being so predominantly in that region, starving the other areas of the front. Also 13 MLRS lost all around Kharkov in a single week, the Ukrainians seem to have massed their MLRS in that region just to get them quickly destroyed. Even just using the Russian numbers, which don’t include losses behind the front line, we get 70,000 casualties a month – no wonder the conscription press gangs are working over time. Next is the move to lower the conscription age down to 21 with no exceptions (unless your daddy is part of the elite).
Now moving to weekly reporting of Ukrainian losses, to better gauge trends. Ukrainian losses for the week August 31st to December 6th, as reported by the Russian defence ministry:
– Kursk & Kharkiv fronts: 3,280 troops, 9 tanks, 112 LAV/HMV, 135 motor vehicles, 34 artillery pieces, 13 MLRS, 12 EW and counter-battery systems.
– Zapad Group (Luhansk area): 3,350 troops, 3 tanks, 2 APC, 8 LAV/HMV, 42 motor vehicles, 37 artillery pieces, 14 EW and counter-battery system.
– Yug Group (Donetsk north): 4,725 troops, 2 tanks, 3 LAV/HMV, 29 motor vehicles, 45 artillery pieces, 11 EW and counter-battery system.
– Tsetr Group (Donetsk south): 3,515 troops, 4 tanks, 14 LAV/ HMV, 0 motor vehicles, 32 artillery pieces.
– Vostok Group (southern front): 860 troops, 3 tanks, 2 LAV/HMV, 29 motor vehicles, 6 artillery piece.
– Dnepr Group: 485 troops, 1 LAV/HMV, 31 motor vehicles, 6 artillery piece.
In total: 16,215 troops (70,000 per month, with undercounting probably 80,000 plus).
19 tanks, 2 APC, 140 HMV/Light Armoured Vehicle (112 in Kursk/Kharov), 266 motor vehicles (an undercount because Tsetr left these out in their report). Further evidence of the transformation of the Ukrainians to an infantry using HMV/light armoured vehicles, “technicals” (pickup trucks with mounted weapons), and civilian vehicles for mobility.
13 MLRS (All in Kursk/Kharkov), 160 artillery pieces (34 in Kursk/Kharkov). 37 EW and counter-battery systems (12 in Kursk/Kharkov).
Total losses so far for the Ukrainians in the Kursk front have been 10,400 troops, 81 tanks, 41 IFV, 74 APC, 599 LAV/HMV, 339 motor vehicles, 76 artillery pieces, 24 MLRS, 19 EW systems, 7 counter-battery systems
Posted by: Roger | Sep 6 2024 19:04 utc | 163
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