Russia deployed 40,000 troops to Kursk region, Ukrainian Armed Forces retain initiative in some areas – Kostenko

The situation in the Kursk region of Russia has changed somewhat compared to when the Ukrainian Defense Forces started the operation there. The Russian army has now brought reserves to Kursk, and the total number of Russian troops is over 40,000.

This was stated by Roman Kostenko, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, Colonel of the Security Service of Ukraine, on the air of Espresso on Thursday, October 3. According to him, there is a maneuver war in this area.

The MP explained that it is impossible to say which side has an advantage at the moment. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are not as active in the offensive as they were at the beginning of the operation, but the military of the Defense Forces retain the initiative in some areas.

Russian troops, in addition to holding the line, are trying to recapture territory in some areas, Kostenko noted.

"There is a maneuver war going on, there are not even solid lines of defense. Both we and the enemy are trying to create a situation where someone will be in a winning situation due to a better maneuver," said the MP.

In the Seim River area, the Russian army is trying to keep its troops, setting up pontoon crossings, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces are destroying them. According to Kostenko, the defense forces are trying to cut off the occupiers from attacking the village of Lyubimovka.

The American Institute for the Study of War also noted the day before that Russian troops have significantly increased the number of their grouping of forces in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. However, they are still unable to use this advantage to displace Ukrainian troops. The occupiers lack the necessary training and combat experience.

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