Problems in the Kursk region: drones, logistics, North Koreans / hromadske

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Here’s the translation: In February, Alex, a serviceman of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade, spent 21 days at positions in the Kursk region. It was the most difficult combat deployment for him. "There were casualties and injuries. An FPV drone flew into the cellar, and throughout the day, seven or eight more drones came in. There was gas, and there were drops," Alex tells hromadske journalists shortly after the deployment. Alex's experience reflects the escalation of the situation for Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. In February-March, the Russians achieved key successes that allowed them to push the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of Sudzh and its outskirts. However, the situation for the Ukrainian garrison gradually worsened. After the breakthrough by the Defense Forces, the Russians brought in reserves to the previously unprotected border and, in the fall of 2024, achieved their first successes in the Kursk region. "It became very difficult in mid-September when we went into defense. The active offensive ended, and the enemy began using equipment and trying to break through the defense, create blocking lines, and enter their own settlements," says Pavlo Yazlovetsky, deputy battalion commander in the 82nd Airborne Assault Brigade. On February 6, Yazlovetsky was awarded the Gold Star of Hero of Ukraine by President Volodymyr Zelensky for leading 102 soldiers of his brigade out of encirclement. His unit was ambushed three times but managed to form a circular defense and break through. This demonstrates that the war in the Kursk region is much more maneuverable than in the east. Similar stories are known to hromadske from other units that were encircled, then broke through and destroyed the encircled Russians. Pavlo Yazlovetsky explains that the terrain in the Kursk region complicated combat operations. Ukrainian forces faced swampy land, ravines, and dense forests, which made it difficult for vehicles to move. In addition, the Russians reinforced their forces with fresh units — soldiers from North Korea. "The Koreans didn’t surrender as prisoners. They are more physically prepared, more resilient, but not fanatical. Their assholes use them like this: first, they send them in as cannon fodder, and then they go somewhere by the woods themselves because those can run through fields in a crowd," says Kostyantyn, a company commander of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade, who encountered the Koreans on the battlefield. But the biggest problem that became decisive in the battle for Sudzh was the drones. The Russians concentrated the strongest drone groups in the Kursk region and managed to control the key logistics routes of Ukrainian forces with strike UAVs, leaving no options but to retreat. "Now drones are changing the course of combat operations. The enemy often uses FPV drones, both on fiber optics and regular ones. They greatly hinder logistics — bringing in ammunition, moving to the front lines. It can be problematic to occupy them because of the large number of drones," explains Pavlo Yazlovetsky. Now, having pushed Ukrainian troops out of the Sudzh district, the Russians may advance deeper into Sumy Oblast, military experts suggest. "If such a large number of Russian troops are gathered here, they won’t go anywhere and will continue advancing. The next city will be Yunakivka, Sumy. There isn’t much buffer zone to hold them off. They won’t stop," Pavlo Yazlovetsky speculates. To learn more about the second and more difficult stage of the Kursk operation — watch the video. --- Friends, if you share the values of hromadske and want to join our community, follow this link and choose your subscription level: You can also donate to the hromadske fund via Monobank: Become a sponsor of this channel to receive bonuses: Subscribe to us so you don’t miss the most important news from Ukraine and the world: --- At hromadske, we do not stop our work during the war. Our journalists and editors are currently working in both eastern and western regions, from improvised offices, shelters, and basements, because the truth is our weapon. --- Friends, if you share the values of hromadske and have already donated to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces, you can also support us: Visit our website: Follow us on social media: Facebook: Twitter: Telegram: Instagram: TikTok: #hromadske #war2022hromadske