Ukrainian forces struck a Russian military convoy in Kursk Oblast, leaving Russia’s deputy commander of the North grouping of forces, General-Lieutenant Essedulla Abatchev, gravely wounded. Ukrainian intelligence reported that Abachev lost both an arm and a leg after the attack.

Ukrainian strike hits Russian convoy in Kursk Oblast

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) announced that Ukrainian units carried out the strike against a Russian convoy moving along the Rylsk–Khomutovka highway in Kursk Oblast overnight on 17 August. According to HUR, the strike inflicted serious injuries on Abachev, who serves as deputy commander of Russia’s North grouping. He was evacuated by military transport aircraft to Moscow and delivered to the Vishnevsky Central Military Hospital, where doctors amputated his arm and leg.

HUR emphasized in its statement that every Russian war crime against the Ukrainian people would face retribution.

OSINT analysis confirms the strike in Kursk Oblast

Militarnyi reported that the strike occurred in the area of Zhuryatino village, citing open-source analysts. While the weapon used was not officially disclosed, analysts suggested it was likely high-precision rocket artillery. Also, the video showing the aftermath of the attack emerged on the evening of 16 August, not in the early hours of 17 August.

Abachev’s military career before the all-out war

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Abachev commanded the 2nd Guards Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District. He graduated from the Kharkiv Higher Tank Command School in 1989 and later the Combined Arms Academy in 2002.

He fought in Russia’s Chechen wars, Georgia, and in Syria, later rising to command the 19th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade and serve as chief of staff of the 5th Combined Arms Army. In 2021 he became a major general, in 2022 he was appointed commander of Russia’s 2nd Army Corps in occupied Luhansk and decorated as Hero of Russia, and by 2023 he was promoted to lieutenant general.