Ukraine’s recent surprise attack in Russia’s Kursk Oblast has revealed significant weaknesses within the Russian Armed Forces, according to Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) deputy chief of staff Lt Col. Mattias Puusepp. Speaking at the Estonian Ministry of Defense’s weekly press briefing on 16 August, Lt Col. Puusepp stated that Russia has not yet recovered from Ukraine’s incursion, as evidenced by their inability to launch a serious counterattack in the region, ERR reports.
Lt Col. Puusepp noted that the Russian military is facing major command and control issues, rendering them unable to effectively respond to Ukrainian actions:
“Everything they are doing at the moment is rather reactive in nature,” he said.
Russian forces are reportedly focusing on building deep defensive lines and concentrating units against the main Ukrainian lines of attack. Despite Russian media and social media frequently discussing imminent counterattacks, Lt Col. Puusepp observed that there is no indication of any large-scale counterattacks taking place so far.
The Estonian military official noted that Ukraine’s strategy in the region includes targeting Russian airfields and aircraft, as it is easier to destroy them on the ground than in the air. On 14 August, Ukrainian forces attacked four air bases – Borisoglebsk, Voronezh, Savasleyka, and Kursk – using long-range drones. While there is no information yet on whether any Russian aircraft were damaged, technical facilities at Borisoglebsk airfield were reportedly hit.
Related:
- “War returns home,” says Latvian defense minister about Kursk incursion
- Ukrainian forces destroy one of three key bridges in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, complicate evacuation and logistics
- US maintains restrictions on Ukraine’s long-range strikes inside Russia amid Kursk operation
- NATO Commander: Russia’s response to Kursk incursion “slow and scattered”
- The Independent: Ukraine captures around 2,000 Russian POWs in Kursk, Ukrainian colonel says
- Estonian FM Tsahkna: Ukraine’s Kursk operation “part of self-defense”