Ukrainian forces continue to expand their control in Kursk Oblast, advancing further into Russian territory despite recent claims by Russian milbloggers that the frontline was being stabilized. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report on 12 August 2024, Ukrainian forces have launched new incursions into western Kursk Oblast, capturing several settlements near the international border.

Russian sources reported that Ukrainian forces seized Slobodka-Ivanovka, Uspenivka, and Viktorovka. Fighting continues near Snagost and Kremyanoye, with Ukrainian forces attempting to bypass Korenevo. Geolocated footage indicates recent Ukrainian advances within Kremyanoye and east of Zhuravli, with a Kremlin-affiliated milblogger claiming that Ukrainian forces advanced towards Obshchy Kolodez.

Additional geolocated footage shows Ukrainian forces advancing in a forest area north and east of Semenovka during a likely battalion-sized mechanized assault towards Kauchuk, ISW says. Russian milbloggers claim that Ukrainian forces have seized Sudzha and Spalnoye, with geolocated footage showing Ukrainian vehicles operating in northern Giri.

The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian forces repelled a Ukrainian attack near Borki, suggesting that Ukrainian forces likely advanced into Giri from the west. Russian sources also reported cross-border incursions by Ukrainian forces with armored vehicle support from Sumy Oblast into Belgorod Oblast near Kolotilovka, Prelesye, and Bezymeno.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the ongoing operation and stated that the Ukrainian government is preparing a plan to address humanitarian issues in areas of Kursk Oblast where Ukrainian forces are operating.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has warned that Russian special services may stage crimes against civilians in Kursk Oblast to falsely accuse Ukrainian forces of committing war crimes. The SBU reported that Russian special services are seizing on the ongoing Ukrainian incursion to make such false accusations.

Related:

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• Kirby calls Putin’s “West v. Russia” claim about Ukraine’s Kursk incursion “horse-hockey”
• Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi says Ukraine controls nearly 1,000 square kilometers of Russia
• DeepState: The Ukrainian army controls 44 Russian settlements, according to conservative estimates
• Kursk incursion: experts debate Ukraine’s objectives as Kyiv consolidates blitz gains