(Kursk) – Ukrainian forces have reportedly inflicted significant losses on the Russian 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, killing over 100 marines in a mine trap during a battle in the Kursk region, highlighting the ongoing difficulties faced by Russian forces in their counteroffensive.
According to defense analyst David Axe, Ukrainian forces encircled and destroyed a unit of the 810th Brigade on Friday, a further setback for Russian operations in Ukraine’s Kursk Oblast. This incident comes as Russia struggles to push Ukrainian forces out of the area before the expected inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in January. Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly hoping to freeze the front lines as a tactic for future armistice negotiations.
The 810th Brigade, a 2,000-strong unit, has been particularly affected by the fighting, with heavy support from North Korean troops. The brigade has suffered severe casualties, with more than 100 vehicles lost and potentially thousands of troops killed or wounded. A Russian military blogger described the brigade as “bleeding” due to the constant, poorly coordinated assaults against Ukrainian defenses, specifically those held by the Ukrainian 95th Air Assault Brigade.
The brigade’s troubles were worsened by a critical intelligence failure. Russian officers wrongly reported that the roads near the village of Pogrebki were clear of mines, leading to a devastating attack. Ukrainian forces had planted mines on these roads, resulting in the destruction of Russian BTR-82 fighting vehicles. The surviving vehicles were then targeted by Ukrainian artillery, missile systems, drones, and tanks.
On November 7 and 8, Ukrainian forces claimed to have destroyed 36 Russian vehicles and killed over 100 marines. Despite these significant losses, the 810th continued to carry out similar attacks in the region. While Russia has made small territorial gains around Pogrebki, neither side has fully gained control of the settlement.
Emil Kastehelmi, a military analyst from the Black Bird Group, noted that while Russia is advancing in some areas, the high losses in men and material are severely damaging its progress. The continued reliance on faulty intelligence and poor command decisions in the Russian military is proving advantageous to Ukraine’s defense.
The ongoing challenges faced by Russia in the Kursk region highlight the difficulties of their counteroffensive and the significant costs in lives and equipment. With both sides continuing to clash in the area, it remains unclear when or if either will gain full control.