Russian Troops Concentrating Forces in Kursk on the Southwestern Border

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Russian forces are reportedly concentrating troops and equipment in Kursk Oblast, which is under attack by Ukrainian forces.

According to the Russian daily Izvestiya on the 16th (local time), checkpoints have been established at key points in Kursk Oblast near the southwestern border of Russia, and new military units have arrived, indicating active movements by the Russian military. Numerous military vehicles have been spotted on the roads, and ditches and square-pyramid-shaped "dragon's teeth" (yongchi) have been installed to block tank advances.

Residents of Kursk are evacuating to safe locations. Roman Alekhin, advisor to the governor of Kursk Oblast, stated that evacuations are actively taking place in the Glushkovsky area. He explained that although some people want to return to their villages, they cannot, and if the Ukrainian forces' plans fail, people will be able to bring more belongings left at home.

Izvestiya reported that Ukrainian military activity has almost ceased. In contrast, the Ukrainian forces claim to have launched an offensive in Kursk since the 6th and advanced a total of 35 km into Russian territory the day before, seizing 1,150 km² (about twice the size of Seoul).

Meanwhile, Sputnik News, citing a security agency official, reported that Russian marines eliminated Ukrainian units in the Kursk battle and that these units appeared to have used small arms from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. The Western weapons secured by the marines reportedly include the Swedish AK5C assault rifle, the American M-4 automatic carbine, and the M2 Browning machine gun, according to the outlet.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.