The British Defense Ministry’s intelligence update of 15 September says that Russia has continued a high tempo of offensive operations across multiple areas of the frontline.

As reported by the British military intelligence agency on social media, Russian forces have begun a counter-offensive in the Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine has maintained control of approximately 800-900 square kilometers of territory since mid-August 2024. 

Spearheaded by airborne and naval infantry units, Russian forces have attacked Ukrainian positions in the west of the salient and have highly likely retaken several villages, the report states.

As stated earlier by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on 14 August, Ukrainian forces made significant inroads into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, prompting a substantial increase in Russian troop deployments to the region.

In response, Russian authorities have bolstered their force grouping in the Kursk Oblast by up to three times its original size in response to Ukraine’s incursion. The ISW analysis suggests that the growth in Russian troop numbers in the Kursk Oblast reflects the operational pressures caused by Ukraine’s incursion.

Pokrovsk direction

The intelligence agency also reports that in eastern Ukraine, Russian forces have made gradual advances around Vuhledar and to the southeast of the logistics hub of Pokrovsk. However, Russia has not advanced significantly towards Pokrovsk itself within the past week.

This overlaps with earlier ISW analysis concerning the Pokrovsk front, as the analysts stated that Russian and Ukrainian forces continued fighting near Toretsk and Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.

Russian Armed Forces seized Lysivka and advanced southeast of Pokrovsk, while both sides made marginal gains, ISW says. 

Related:

• UK intel: Russia makes tactical gains near Donetsk’s Vuhledar, threatening further advances
• UK intel: Russian casualties remain high as capability constraints reduce ability to exploit tactical success
• UK intel: Russia creating volunteer units to counter Ukraine in Kursk Oblast while prioritizing Pokrovsk axis
• UK Intel: Despite alleged willingness for negotiations, Russia retains maximalist objectives against Ukraine
• ISW: Russian military pursues dual tactical efforts around Pokrovsk
• ISW: Ukrainian troops advance in Kursk Oblast, capture several villages
• ISW: Russian forces making significant gains toward Pokrovsk, Ukrainian forces entrenching in Kursk Oblast