Russian forces ramp up bombings to reclaim Kursk territories
The Russian armed forces are viciously attacking cities in Kursk. For the first time since World War II, Russia has lost territories, prompting an aggressive assault on towns in the Kursk region. This aims to reclaim lost territories and destroy infrastructure that Ukrainians could use.
For the first time since World War II, Russian troops have faced the loss of their territory. In response, Moscow has decided to destroy cities in the Kursk region. According to UNITED24 Media, on 16 March, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the withdrawal from Sudzha, a city that is a key logistical point in the Kursk offensive.
Destruction of cities as the invader's strategy
In an attempt to halt the Ukrainian offensive, Russian forces have employed a tactic involving the destruction of their own cities. Sudzha was the largest city under Ukrainian control, prompting Moscow to demolish buildings to hinder its opponent's actions.
At its peak, Ukrainian forces controlled approximately 1,400 square kilometres of Russian territory in the Kursk region, which included 100 settlements. About 2,000 civilians remained in Sudzha, receiving humanitarian aid from the Ukrainian armed forces. The Russian actions aimed to destroy any infrastructure that could be utilized by the opponent.
Russians modernise powerful bombs
The Russians are modernising, among other things, FAB-3000 bombs to effectively attack their opponents and recapture the territory seized by them. FAB-3000 bombs are being converted into glide bombs, allowing precise attacks on Ukrainian positions and cities located away from the front lines. Such modernisation complicates effective defence against these attacks. These actions demonstrate how Russia adapts its military strategies in response to the situation at the front.
According to a report by the Institute for the Study of War on 6 February 2025, the Ukrainian operation in Kursk had far-reaching consequences. The actions of the Ukrainian forces forced the relocation of elite Russian units. Thus, Ukraine complicated Russian operations and slowed down the execution of new attacks by the opponent.
The operation in Kursk showed that even a small presence of Ukrainians on enemy territory can necessitate costly changes in military planning. However, if Ukraine loses access to Western support, Russia may regain the initiative due to its advantage in firepower.
