Russia issues new estimate of Ukrainian losses in Kursk
The Ukrainian military’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region has cost it dearly, with Kiev’s forces suffering 6,600 casualties and losing 73 tanks in their cross-border offensive, according to the latest figures published by the Russian Defense Ministry.
Ukrainian forces invaded Kursk Region on August 6, in the largest attack on internationally recognized Russian territory since the start of hostilities in February 2022. The advance was quickly halted by the Russian military, but fighting in the region continues, and Ukrainian troops still hold a number of settlements in the border area.
In the three weeks since the incursion began, Ukraine has lost more than 6,600 troops, 73 tanks, 34 infantry fighting vehicles, 62 armored personnel carriers, 432 armored fighting vehicles, and 201 other motor vehicles, the ministry announced on Tuesday.
Russian forces have also destroyed 45 artillery guns and 13 multiple-launch rocket systems, including four US-provided HIMARS launchers, the ministry added.
Over the last three weeks, Moscow has published videos of its forces destroying Ukrainian tanks, weapons, and personnel involved in the incursion.
It is unclear how many troops the Ukrainian military sent into Kursk Region, although American media outlets claimed earlier this month that as many as 10,000 servicemen were pulled from other sectors of the front to take part in the offensive. In Tuesday’s report, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Moscow’s forces had engaged elements of Ukraine’s 22nd, 61st, and 115th mechanized brigades, 80th and 82nd air assault brigades, and 1004th Security and Service Brigade in the previous 24 hours.
In the Ukrainian armed forces, a brigade typically consists of between 1,000 and 8,000 men, although severe attrition has left some Ukrainian brigades operating with as little as 10% of their pre-conflict strength since April, according to Western military analysts.
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky initially said the capture of Russian territory was necessary to intimidate the Russian public and obtain a stronger position during eventual peace talks with Moscow. The messaging later shifted, with Zelensky claiming that he aimed to create a buffer zone inside Russian territory and deter Moscow from ordering an attack on Ukraine’s Sumy Region, which borders Kursk.
In a press conference on Tuesday, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, Gen. Aleksandr Syrsky, said that the attack was aimed at forcing Russia to divert troops from two key points along the frontline in the Donbass. However, Syrsky admitted that Moscow had seen through this plan and “increased its efforts” in these areas instead.
