ISW: Ukraine pushes forward in Kursk Oblast while Russia gains ground near Vuhledar

Ukrainian forces advanced within the Kursk Oblast salient while Russian forces captured key positions in eastern Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War’s October 27 report.

Geolocated footage from 26 October confirms Ukrainian advances southwest of Olgovka and east of Kolmakov in the Kursk Oblast.

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. Since then,  Ukrainian forces allegedly seized some 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles).

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported Ukrainian attacks “southeast of Korenevo near Zeleny Shlyakh, Novoivanvoka, Daryino, Nizhny Klin, Pogrebki, and Nikolaevo-Daryino; and southeast of Sudzha near Plekhovo.”

Russian forces achieved a breakthrough in Selydove, with footage showing Russian troops raising their flag over the City Council building.

“Several Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces seized and are clearing the entirety of Selydove,” the report states, though ISW notes it hasn’t confirmed Russian presence in the western part of the city.

Russian forces made progress in Bohoyavlenka in the Vuhledar direction of Donetsk Oblast. Geolocated footage published on 27 October shows a Russian soldier raising the flag of the 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade over central Bohoyavlenka.

Russian Telegram channel TASS quoted Russian security forces stating that “Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from most of their positions in Bohoyavlenka.”

“Elements of the Russian 137th Airborne Regiment are operating near Lyubimovka” while “elements of the 11th VDV Brigade are reportedly operating near Cherkasskaya Konopelka,” ISW reported.

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