Slowing of the offensive: Russians have understood the tactics of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region — The Economist

Russian forces have already understood the tactics of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in the Kursk region and have begun to counter them. As a result, the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region has slowed down.

This is reported by the British magazine The Economist.

The publication describes the beginning of the operation and its objectives.

According to the magazine, Ukrainian statements about threats of a Russian invasion of the Sumy region were merely a cover to justify the concentration of troops near the Kursk region’s borders.

The publication also notes that the “maneuver attack” used by the UAF was akin to the tactics employed by Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, as reported by a source in the Ukrainian General Staff.

“For the first five days, it was terribly effective,” but with the loss of the element of surprise, Ukrainian gains slowed down. Ukrainian soldiers fighting in the Kursk region say they are now beginning to encounter a different level of resistance. Losses are increasing. The Russians have reinforced the front with more trained units, including marines and special forces.

“They’ve figured out how to fight, and they understand our tactics. But that doesn’t mean we don’t understand their tactics,” said Private Serhiy from the 80th Assault Brigade.

“President Zelensky still insists on maximum advancement (deep into Russian territory),” said a source in the General Staff. “But Syrskyi is cautious, focusing on expanding the flanks along the border to create more reliable defensive lines,” the article states.

In recent days, the Ukrainian contingent, which numbers between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers, “seems to be focused on establishing control over the southern bank of the Seim River northwest of Sudzha.”

Initially, the goal of the attack on the Kursk region was to divert troops from Donbas and create leverage for future negotiations, while also quelling talks about freezing the conflict.

Russia, on the other hand, wants to use the Ukrainian attack to exhaust Kyiv’s resources, intensifying attacks in the Pokrovske direction, the publication suggests.