Footage shared by a prominent Russian military blogger has emerged, depicting “destroyed” Ukrainian tanks in the Kursk border region following Kiev’s offensive on Russian territory this week.
The post further claimed that the video showcased Russian T-62 tanks being lost near the border town of Suzha.
Earlier reports from open intelligence sources indicated that Russia had lost two tanks, identified as T-62s, near the Suja area bordering Kursk.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated on Thursday that Ukrainian forces had been “prevented from advancing” in the regions surrounding Suja and Korenevo. Moscow claimed its aircraft conducted strikes on Ukrainian positions along the border using guided aerial bombs.
Russian military bloggers, who have a large following, painted a different picture on Thursday.
“The situation has not improved after three days,” said Russian journalist Alexander Sladkov. “The enemy is consolidating forces, withdrawing reserves, and increasing equipment presence in the region, despite ongoing air and drone strikes,” one blogger stated.
Several bloggers reported that Ukrainian forces had advanced up to 15 kilometers into the Kursk region on Wednesday.
According to the Institute for Military Research (ISW), a US-based think tank, Ukrainian forces advanced 10 kilometers into Kursk on Wednesday. Ukrainian forces appear to have captured at least two Russian defense lines and a stronghold, with reports suggesting that Russia has lost at least 11 settlements in the region.
Andriy Kovalenka, an official of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, stated on Tuesday that “Russia does not control the border.”
The acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, acknowledging the ongoing difficulties along the border.