Rather rare examples. The mass of VSRF is nowadays little else but 'a mob commanded into a suicide'. On the contrary, the 5th TB and the 36th MRB are operating in well-coordinated fashion, the add-on armour on their AFVs is better made, and they're really after smashing ZSU units, not after getting killed by hundreds.
Must check who's in command of the two... I do recall, the CAA/Corps-CO was shown on the Russian TV after capturing Vuhledar, but can't find that video any more.
Namely, in other cases, the Army/Corps-CO is always first ordering frontal assaults. Only when all of these fail are they flanking. The guy in command of this sector is different: his brigade-COs can flank on their own, and they all are selecting targets for their assaults in a far better fashion. They're really a 'trouble' for the ZSU.
You can see this already by comparing their performance with that of the Group Tsenter's assaults on Kurakhove, now just few kilometres further north-east: complete disregard for troops, no serious coordination between artillery and assault groups (except when it comes to drop smoke), endless bolstering of failures. No wonder the 33rd Mech is having 'field days' there, while the 79th Airborne is, meanwhile, 'in trouble'.
It looks like Ukraine won't have enough troops and equipment to keep Kursk occupied until Trump takes over the US presidency in Janury. Sad to see it, but not too surprising - it takes more troops to keep an area occupied than to invade it
(sometimes I fantasize about half a dozen UKR armoured brigades entering the Russia towards Glushkovo, but then I am thinking about the defenses in the Eastern and Southern fronts...)
Otherwise the same people as in this fight would be fighting elsewhere. Just some other towns would be getting leveled, some other civilians would be losing their homes. So it's better to pick where that happens rather than letting your enemy do it. Those thousands of lives are gone because Russia is waging this war, not because it's being fought in Kursk.
So you are saying it is smart to run around in the woods playing drone tag while fortifications in Donbass fall like dominos?
Even Tom here has repeatedly pointed out that Ukraine's territorial defense are getting slaughtered because Zelensky transferred his best brigades to Kursk.
And no sorry, whining that the enemy is the aggressor doesn't excuse stupid decisions lol
Those Russian troops that are in Kursk would otherwise be in Donbas. It's not clear at all that Ukrainian defence would be easier, and it's clear that the bombs that are falling on Kursk's ground would be falling on Ukraine instead.
Tom, if you don't mind, I'll post an important collection of 60 million UAH for 30,000 anti-tank PTM-3, the needs of 80 brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Own production of sugar by 414th OPUBAS.
The video contains a detailed report on the expenditure of funds from the October collection, production and distribution of candy among the JFO forces.
Please spread the word and join the fundraiser as much as you can.
Here is a link to the Magyar telegram channel, where all the details are presented.
In my opinion, Ukraine now is committed in Kursk - better to destroy all these Russian troops inside Russia instead of being routed back to Ukraine and possibly invaded in home turf etc.
Withdrawing could be possible one or two months ago, but with more than 50K Russian etc troops massed against Ukrainian troops, they wouldn't want such a force at the Sumy border, do they? So, better to destroy all these and don't worry about keeping buildings and infrastructure intact, since it's enemy territory.
And if they can keep the Kursk salient occupied and even expand it (I wish), they could have a serious political card to play if Trump demands a deal - "well, if Russia wants to get back Kursk region, what will they give to us in return?"
West needs to let the economic warfare come to fruition (read: people in Moscow running round in circles with their hands in the air shouting at each other, ideally no later than mid 2025) and then use economics as leverage to coerce Russia to leave. Kremlin will do it if regime survival is served
Russian sources are speculating that North Korea may have provided North Korean-produced 170mm M1989 "Koksan" self-propelled artillery systems to Russia. Russian milbloggers published images showing a train transporting alleged North Korean 170mm M1989 “Koksan” self-propelled artillery systems in Krasnoyarsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai. Russian milbloggers claimed that the North Korean “Koksan” self-propelled artillery systems are mounted on Russian T-54 or T-62 tank chassis, have a fire rate of one to two shots per five minutes, and have a range of 40 to 60 kilometers. A prominent, Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger celebrated the alleged weapons transfer and speculated that North Korea could provide Russian forces with higher-caliber weapons and allow Russia to significantly expand its military capabilities. Russian opposition outlet Vazhnye Istorii (iStories) reported that Russian forces may use the “Koksan” self-propelled artillery system to replace recent losses of Russian 2S7 Pion 203mm self-propelled artillery systems in challenging operational areas.
Thanks
Thanks for this Tom.
You mentioned two "normal conducted" brigades of the VSRF. Are this few rare examples of this, or is being more common to find better russian units?
The solely idea of trying to flank strongholds make me think this, but this requiere better divisional and army commanders too.
Rather rare examples. The mass of VSRF is nowadays little else but 'a mob commanded into a suicide'. On the contrary, the 5th TB and the 36th MRB are operating in well-coordinated fashion, the add-on armour on their AFVs is better made, and they're really after smashing ZSU units, not after getting killed by hundreds.
Must check who's in command of the two... I do recall, the CAA/Corps-CO was shown on the Russian TV after capturing Vuhledar, but can't find that video any more.
Namely, in other cases, the Army/Corps-CO is always first ordering frontal assaults. Only when all of these fail are they flanking. The guy in command of this sector is different: his brigade-COs can flank on their own, and they all are selecting targets for their assaults in a far better fashion. They're really a 'trouble' for the ZSU.
You can see this already by comparing their performance with that of the Group Tsenter's assaults on Kurakhove, now just few kilometres further north-east: complete disregard for troops, no serious coordination between artillery and assault groups (except when it comes to drop smoke), endless bolstering of failures. No wonder the 33rd Mech is having 'field days' there, while the 79th Airborne is, meanwhile, 'in trouble'.
Thanks a Lot Tom!
Thank you. Another good update.
Ty for the update
It looks like Ukraine won't have enough troops and equipment to keep Kursk occupied until Trump takes over the US presidency in Janury. Sad to see it, but not too surprising - it takes more troops to keep an area occupied than to invade it
(sometimes I fantasize about half a dozen UKR armoured brigades entering the Russia towards Glushkovo, but then I am thinking about the defenses in the Eastern and Southern fronts...)
Trying to occupy some Kursk trees at all was a mistake. Why even one person thought that stunt was worth thousands of lives is beyond me.
I would guess that was a "I’m not locked in a room with you, you’re locked in a room with me" move
Well unfortunately this is real life not a video game or a comic book.
Otherwise the same people as in this fight would be fighting elsewhere. Just some other towns would be getting leveled, some other civilians would be losing their homes. So it's better to pick where that happens rather than letting your enemy do it. Those thousands of lives are gone because Russia is waging this war, not because it's being fought in Kursk.
So you are saying it is smart to run around in the woods playing drone tag while fortifications in Donbass fall like dominos?
Even Tom here has repeatedly pointed out that Ukraine's territorial defense are getting slaughtered because Zelensky transferred his best brigades to Kursk.
And no sorry, whining that the enemy is the aggressor doesn't excuse stupid decisions lol
Who's whining, bitch?
Well, you, apparently. Lol.
Those Russian troops that are in Kursk would otherwise be in Donbas. It's not clear at all that Ukrainian defence would be easier, and it's clear that the bombs that are falling on Kursk's ground would be falling on Ukraine instead.
This comment reads more like a prayer than a reasoned argument so I will move on.
"Russians don't take a dump, Son, without a plan."
Thanks for your work Tom Cooper!
Tom, if you don't mind, I'll post an important collection of 60 million UAH for 30,000 anti-tank PTM-3, the needs of 80 brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Own production of sugar by 414th OPUBAS.
The video contains a detailed report on the expenditure of funds from the October collection, production and distribution of candy among the JFO forces.
Please spread the word and join the fundraiser as much as you can.
Here is a link to the Magyar telegram channel, where all the details are presented.
https://t.me/robert_magyar
Thank you in advance to everyone who donates. There are many units where my friends and relatives are.
Thanks! I'll re-post correspondingly, today or tomorrow.
In a nutshell, is it time to leave Kursk, as otherwise the Russian advances in the Donbas could accelerate?
In my opinion, Ukraine now is committed in Kursk - better to destroy all these Russian troops inside Russia instead of being routed back to Ukraine and possibly invaded in home turf etc.
Withdrawing could be possible one or two months ago, but with more than 50K Russian etc troops massed against Ukrainian troops, they wouldn't want such a force at the Sumy border, do they? So, better to destroy all these and don't worry about keeping buildings and infrastructure intact, since it's enemy territory.
And if they can keep the Kursk salient occupied and even expand it (I wish), they could have a serious political card to play if Trump demands a deal - "well, if Russia wants to get back Kursk region, what will they give to us in return?"
ISW published an overview of the Russian economy https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-14-2024
West needs to let the economic warfare come to fruition (read: people in Moscow running round in circles with their hands in the air shouting at each other, ideally no later than mid 2025) and then use economics as leverage to coerce Russia to leave. Kremlin will do it if regime survival is served
That is not going to happen. They turn their economy into USSR-like militarized system - and it took decades to fall apart.
But Russia in 2024 is no USSR, right? Aren't they much more vulnerable due to how shallow their economy has become over the last 30+ years?
They have China, Iran and NK to help them
Russian sources are speculating that North Korea may have provided North Korean-produced 170mm M1989 "Koksan" self-propelled artillery systems to Russia. Russian milbloggers published images showing a train transporting alleged North Korean 170mm M1989 “Koksan” self-propelled artillery systems in Krasnoyarsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai. Russian milbloggers claimed that the North Korean “Koksan” self-propelled artillery systems are mounted on Russian T-54 or T-62 tank chassis, have a fire rate of one to two shots per five minutes, and have a range of 40 to 60 kilometers. A prominent, Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger celebrated the alleged weapons transfer and speculated that North Korea could provide Russian forces with higher-caliber weapons and allow Russia to significantly expand its military capabilities. Russian opposition outlet Vazhnye Istorii (iStories) reported that Russian forces may use the “Koksan” self-propelled artillery system to replace recent losses of Russian 2S7 Pion 203mm self-propelled artillery systems in challenging operational areas.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-14-2024