Ukraine suffering massive losses in Kursk offensive, Russia says
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A senior Chechen commander underlines that the Ukrainian forces are losing terribly in light of their questionable incursion into Kursk.
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A plate with sign "Kursk 108 km" is seen on the Russian-Ukrainian border in Sumy region, Ukraine, Tuesday, August 13, 2024. (AP)
Russian forces have claimed significant success in repelling a large-scale offensive by Ukrainian troops in the Kursk Region, Russian officials said Wednesday.
General Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Akhmat special forces regiment, reported that nearly 12,000 Ukrainian soldiers, including numerous foreign fighters, had entered the region but that most had already been eliminated.
"We estimate that around 12,000 personnel entered the Kursk Region," General Alaudinov told Russian broadcaster Rossiya 1. He highlighted the involvement of foreign fighters, noting the presence of Polish, English, and French speakers among the Ukrainian forces.
"Most of them have already been destroyed," he said.
The offensive, which began on August 6, aimed to seize strategic facilities in both the Kursk and Belgorod regions, Alaudinov explained. The operation was reportedly part of a broader strategy by NATO to enable Ukrainian forces to capture significant Russian territory, thereby putting pressure on Moscow.
Despite the scale of the attack, Alaudinov noted that Ukrainian aircraft were not observed over the Kursk Region during the offensive.
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the assault, describing it as another "large-scale provocation" by Ukraine, targeting civilian infrastructure. He vowed that the Russian military would deliver a decisive response in the border regions.
Earlier reports from the Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that Ukrainian forces had suffered heavy losses, including up to 2,300 personnel and 37 tanks, during their incursion into the Kursk Region.
'Inconcievable' for Russia to lose
In a video posted on his Telegram channel on Saturday, Alaudinov, who took on the role of deputy head of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces in April 2024, declared that it is "inconceivable" for Russia to face defeat on the battlefield.
The comments were in response to the largest assault on Russian territory since the conflict between the neighboring states began in February 2022.
While appealing for more people to join the army, he said "I see no reason for you to doubt, to think that we could even lose this battle."
"I urge all of you to make a decision in this battle. The decisive battle," he said, adding, "Because after this battle, Ukraine will fall," as well as NATO, Europe, the US, and "all those supporting Ukraine."
He highlighted the presence of Americans, Poles, English, and French individuals fighting for Kiev, stating, "You have no place… in our land, and we will do everything to keep you out," emphasizing that "Russia is more united than ever; we are a force that no one can stop."
Since the incursion began on Tuesday, the Ukrainian military has reportedly lost nearly 1,120 soldiers and 140 armored vehicles, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, which also stated that the advance has been halted.
Moscow described the raid as a provocation and accused Kiev of targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure in the region.
Western military specialists questioned Ukraine's strategic reason for attacking the Russian province of Kursk, citing limited resources and difficulties in sustaining a long front line, according to a report by the Financial Times on Tuesday.
