Today, there is a lot of news from the Kursk direction. Here, Colombian volunteers in the Ukrainian army launched a well-planned and decisive attack across the border to put an important position under their control. By doing so, they are not only establishing control in the area but also sabotaging Russian offensive efforts into Sumy Oblast.

Recently, Ukrainian units have initiated precise offensive operations in the border region near the Russian village of Novyi Put, strategically situated between Tyotkino and the areas where Russia has infiltrated Sumy Oblast. The purpose of these targeted raids is clear: to prevent Russia from launching additional offensives, which would not only alleviate the Ukrainian pressure on Tyotkino but also threaten Sumy’s defenses from the north.

Ukraine rolls out three-phase plan

Ukraine’s tactical approach in this critical area consists of a threefold strategy. Firstly, their goal is to systematically reduce Russian manpower, weakening the enemy’s frontline strength. Secondly, they aim to neutralize Russian artillery, depriving ground troops of crucial fire support. Lastly, Ukraine is conducting surgical operations that, though seemingly small in scale, yield strategic results far exceeding their immediate battlefield significance.

Drones take out Russian airborne unit

In line with this strategy, Ukrainian drones recently identified and coordinated a precision air strike against a Russian troop deployment area deep in Kursk Oblast. Released footage and prior intelligence confirmed the destruction of a Russian airborne company-sized formation.

By specifically targeting such elite units, Ukraine seeks to disrupt Russian capabilities that provide coordination and rapid-response support, severely diminishing Russia’s ability to launch cohesive offensive or defensive operations.

Ukrainian strikes hit artillery systems

Complementing this, Ukrainian forces have intensified efforts to dismantle Russian artillery. Notably, Ukrainian drones successfully targeted a Russian 152-mm self-propelled artillery system, the 2S43 Malva, with a precision-guided Darts kamikaze drone.

Eliminating such artillery pieces weakens the enemy’s firepower, leaving Russian ground troops exposed and vulnerable to Ukrainian raids, and accelerates Russia’s attrition.

Colombians clear forest stronghold

Most remarkable, however, was the recent direct-action assault involving Colombian volunteers serving within Ukrainian units. These volunteers, with extensive combat experience and training in the Colombian armed forces, were instrumental in clearing Russian forces entrenched within a small, forested area near the border. Despite its modest size, this wooded patch, surrounded by open fields, offers significant tactical advantages, granting control over the surrounding territory to whoever holds it.

The assault unfolded with meticulous coordination. Ukrainian drone operators provided real-time aerial surveillance, directing the Colombian unit to Russian defensive trenches and bunkers concealed within the forest. Leveraging their expertise in stealth infiltration, the Colombian soldiers approached unnoticed, initiating close-quarters combat.

Suppressing Russian defenders within their bunkers, the Colombians methodically cleared each position using grenades and explosives, finally securing the main trenches after an intense battle. Following this decisive victory, the Colombian-Ukrainian force proudly displayed captured Russian equipment, underscoring their success.

Ukraine fortifies terrain, sets trap

This position’s tactical value is significant. Its defensive potential is enhanced by interconnected tree lines and nearby settlements offering concealed ground lines of communication for Ukrainian troops. Furthermore, the location is strategically beneficial due to its clear lines of fire, forcing any counterattacking Russian units into predictable and lethal kill zones, or right out into open fields.

Raids force Russia into futile attacks

All this means that, should Russian commanders decide to retake this forest patch, guarding the far eastern flank of Tyotkino, they would have to expend considerable resources, troops, time, and armor to retake it—only to find Ukrainian forces will have likely withdrawn before succumbing to bombardments, effectively forcing Russia to destroy a potential staging ground.

Overall, this operation conducted by Colombian volunteers exemplifies Ukraine’s broader strategic intent along the Sumy–Kursk border region. Ukrainian forces carry out numerous such raids, continuously forcing Russia to allocate resources over a larger area, which in cumulative effect significantly delays enemy operations and drains their offensive capabilities.

Collectively, these actions ensure that Russian forces remain bogged down, unable to effectively support or expand their ambitions against Sumy, thereby safeguarding critical Ukrainian positions and significantly undermining Russia’s objectives.

In our regular frontline report, we pair up with the military blogger Reporting from Ukraine to keep you informed about what is happening on the battlefield in the Russo-Ukrainian war.