ISW: Ukrainian forces make gains north of Sudzha in Kursk Oblast

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that Ukrainian forces have made advances north of Sudzha amid ongoing fighting in Ukraine’s main salient in Kursk Oblast on October 20.

Ukrainian forces started their offensive in Russia’s Kursk Oblast on 6 August, reportedly aiming to destabilize Russian defenses by forcing them to divert resources away from critical fronts in Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces allegedly seized some 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles). According to the previous ISW report, Russian troops intensified counterattacks in the Kursk Oblast on 10-11 October to push Ukrainian forces out before deteriorating weather conditions.

According to the ISW, geolocated footage published on 20 October indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced east of Cherkassoye Porechnoye, north of Sudzha.

Russian sources claim that their forces launched attacks north of Sudzha near Malaya Loknya and southeast of Sudzha near Plekhovo. The same sources report that Ukrainian forces conducted attacks southeast of Korenevo in the vicinity of Kruglenkoye and Leonidovo.

A Kremlin-affiliated Russian military blogger stated that “information about Russian forces seizing Plekhovo is unconfirmed.” This suggests uncertainty about the exact positions of Russian forces in the area.

The ISW report indicates that specific Russian units are operating in the region.

Elements of the Russian 155th Naval Infantry Brigade (Pacific Fleet, Eastern Military District [EMD]) are reportedly operating near Zeleny Shlyakh (southeast of Korenevo), and elements of the ‘Alabai’ reconnaissance group are reportedly operating in Kursk Oblast, according to the ISW.

ISW reports that neither Ukrainian nor Russian sources reported on ground attacks in Glushkovsky Raion, west of the main Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast on 20 October 20. This suggests that the fighting may be concentrated in specific areas of the oblast.

The ISW’s report provides a snapshot of the current situation in the Kursk Oblast, highlighting recent Ukrainian advances and the ongoing war between Ukrainian and Russian forces in the area.

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