Offensive against the Russian Federation: Ukrainian troops fail to advance in the Belgorod region

Ukrainian troops successfully entered the territory of the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation.

However, they were forced to leave as the Russians were ready to repel a cross-border attack. Report Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

According to public reports, as of August 16, Ukrainian troops no longer hold positions in the Belgorod region.

The analysts referred to a report by The Washington Post on August 15, which stated that on August 11, the Ukrainian army launched a mechanized attack in the Belgorod region near the Kolotlovka border checkpoint on the international border and advanced about 10 kilometers into the area.

At the same time, according to Russian sources, the Ukrainian armed forces have attacked Kolodilovka several times in recent days and temporarily occupied the checkpoint on August 15. However, Russia has not confirmed that the Ukrainian army has advanced to more than 10 kilometers from the checkpoint.

Also read: Ukrainian armed forces take control of another village in Kursk region – DeepState

The Washington Post reported that Ukrainian troops held their ground in the Belgorod region under heavy Russian airstrikes and artillery fire. On August 15, Ukrainian armored vehicles crossed the border to evacuate the remnants of the Ukrainian armed forces in the region.

As of August 16, ISW has not observed any Russian statements or evidence of Ukrainian military presence in the Belgorod region.

Ukrainian soldiers told The Washington Post that Russian troops were better prepared to repel Ukrainian cross-border attacks than in the Kursk region. According to them, Russian troops installed a large number of anti-tank fortifications – the so-called “Dragon’s Teeth” – along the border and mined the area,” the message read.

ISW also noted that according to Ukrainian soldiers, Russian artillery units, drone operators and aircraft almost immediately began attacking Ukrainian armed forces attempting to cross the border in the Belgorod region on August 11.

Ukrainian soldiers’ accounts of the Russian response suggest that the operational surprise achieved by Ukrainian troops when they launched their invasion of the Kursk region on August 6 had largely dissipated by August 11, and Russian forces in the Belgorod region were ready to repel cross-border forces. “The border attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” – wrote to ISW.

Analysts say Ukrainian troops have made further rapid advances along other sections of the border with the Kursk region since the incursion began on Aug. 6, suggesting Russian forces may be better at protecting some areas of the border than others.