Ukraine's retreat from Kursk: Strategic loss or tactical pause?
Analyst David Axe discussed the situation of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk region on the Forbes portal. He estimated they may have lost around 500 vehicles and artillery pieces there. Furthermore, they often abandon valuable Western vehicles during their retreat, which then fall into Russian hands.
This week, the Ukrainians withdrew from Sudzha, among other areas. David Axe believes this is a further consequence of the events of 25 February, when the Russians launched a "devastating series of attacks on the main supply line supporting Ukrainian forces in this town." After more than seven months of fighting, the Ukrainians may soon completely withdraw from the Kursk region. While they have inflicted significant damage on Putin's forces, they have also suffered substantial losses themselves.
Abrams and Bradley vehicles in Russian hands
David Axe described how the retreating Ukrainian forces, facing supply shortages and the threat of encirclement, moved swiftly, seemingly under the cover of darkness. Unable to take all their heavy equipment, they left some behind, effectively allowing it to fall into Russian hands. Among the captured assets were top-tier vehicles from Ukraine's elite brigades.
The analyst highlights the equipment used by the 47th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian army, which purportedly suffered the most significant losses on Russian soil, losing American Abrams tanks and M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. Images and videos shared on social media confirm that the Russians seized some of these.
Abrams tanks fell in clash with Russians
David Axe also reminds us that the losses of the Abrams tanks are excruciating for the Ukrainian army, as it received only 31 units. According to data from the creators of the Oryx blog, which monitors equipment losses on both sides of the ongoing war, Ukrainians have lost 19 of these tanks, and following their complete withdrawal from the Kursk region, the situation might worsen further.
The United States provided Abrams tanks in the M1A1 variant as part of its support. These tanks are armed with 120 mm calibre cannons and machine guns of 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm calibre. Weighing around 66 tonnes, they are powered by engines with 1,500 horsepower, enabling them to reach speeds of up to 40 mph.
Ukraine received considerably more support with M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, with over 300 sent to the front. These vehicles are equipped with a 25 mm calibre M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon, capable of firing 200 rounds per minute, a 7.62 mm calibre machine gun, and a launcher for TOW anti-tank missiles. Thanks to their strong armour, these vehicles have gained a reputation as life-saving for Ukrainian soldiers. However, they are not invincible, as demonstrated by the losses sustained in the Kursk region.
The French daily "Le Monde" portal, citing Ukrainian observers and the absence of new reports of heavy fighting, suggests that Ukraine is withdrawing from the Kursk region under US pressure.
The French suggest that Ukraine's withdrawal from Russia's Kursk region might be a precondition for U.S.-led negotiations on a ceasefire with Russia. However, military analysts from the DeepState project disagree, arguing that it is premature to assume a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from the area is imminent.
