2024-08-19 10:58:30
Ukrainian troops held their positions in the Belgorod region under heavy Russian airstrikes and artillery fire. The fighting began on August 12, but over three days Ukrainian forces were unable to break through into the region and had to be urgently evacuated, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The Kursk breakthrough also failed to be repeated due to the Russians’ lack of preparedness to repel cross-border attacks. Analysts note that, as of August 16, Ukrainian troops no longer hold positions in the Belgorod region.
In particular, they refer to the publication of the Washington Post newspaper from August 15. It notes that on August 11, Ukrainian troops carried out mechanized attacks in the Belgorod region near the Kolotilovka border checkpoint on the international border northwest of the city of Belgorod and advanced in this area by approximately 10 kilometers.
At the same time, according to Russian sources, in recent days the Ukrainian Armed Forces have repeatedly carried out attacks near Kolotilovka and on August 15 temporarily captured the said checkpoint. However, the Russians do not confirm that Ukrainian troops have advanced more than 10 kilometers from the checkpoint. The Ukrainian Armed Forces held positions in the Belgorod region, under powerful Russian air strikes and artillery fire. On August 15, Ukrainian armored vehicles crossed the border to evacuate the remaining Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in the area.
As of August 16, ISW has not observed any Russian statements or evidence indicating the presence of Ukrainian troops in the Belgorod region. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers told Western media that Russians are better prepared for cross-border attacks than in the neighboring region. According to them, Russian troops have installed a large number of anti-tank fortifications – the so-called “dragon’s teeth” – along the border and have densely mined the territory. Also, drone operators and artillery units of the Russian Federation began attacking the Ukrainian Armed Forces immediately after their entry into the territory of the Belgorod region.
The report also notes that since the invasion began on August 6, Ukrainian forces have made further rapid advances on other parts of the border with Kursk, indicating that Russian forces are likely to be better at defending some parts of the border than others.
Earlier, “Kursor” reported that the movement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation continues quite successfully: according to analysts, in recent days the Ukrainian army has captured a number of other populated areas.