Forbes: Russian counteroffensive in Kursk fails to make gains amid heavy equipment losses

A Russian counteroffensive in Kursk Oblast has yet to see significant success but has cost Russia heavily in equipment, Forbes has reported.

During the operation in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, initiated in August 2024, Ukrainian forces advanced up to 35 kilometers into Russian territory, capturing hundreds of soldiers and inflicting over 20,000 casualties on Russian troops. However, the advance has recently stalled due to bolstered Russian defenses and reinforcements.

According to Forbes analyst David Axe, over six days, Ukrainian drone operator Kriegsforscher identified 77 destroyed Russian armored vehicles on the front.

“That’s enough equipment for three Russian battalions. And it’s only what’s ‘visible and confirmed with video,” according to Kriegsforscher. Actual Russian losses could be much higher,’” said Forbes, citing Kriegsforscher on social media.

On 13 November, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported a record single-day loss for Russia: 1,950 personnel and 104 destroyed armored vehicles. Kursk Oblast accounts for the majority of these losses, with fighting there at least twice as intense as in other areas.

The Kremlin reinforced several of its brigades, including the 51st Airborne Regiment and the 810th Marine Brigade, with fresh vehicles and then deployed them to Kursk Oblast. Meanwhile, Ukrainian brigades have held firm and even managed to counterattack in parts of the front, advancing near Novoivanovka.

“The fighting shows no sign of letting up. Amid the uncertainty of extreme and unsustainable losses and global political change, the Russians are going for broke in Kursk,” wrote David Axe.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that Russia had deployed tens of thousands of its best forces to the Kursk Oblast.

At the same time, BILD analyst Julian Röpcke reported that Russia’s counteroffensive has turned into a disaster for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his generals, with the Russians sustaining heavy losses.

Related: