On the night of December 25, 2023, Ukrainian forces launched a precise strike against the command post of Russia's 810th Separate Marine Brigade, located in Lgov, Kursk Oblast. This operation, part of Ukraine's broader campaign to disrupt Russian military activities, reportedly resulted in significant casualties among Russian officers, including the deputy commander of the brigade.
According to Ukraine’s Strategic Communications (StratCom), the command post, situated within an abandoned civilian building, was targeted using the advanced HIMARS rocket system. The strike aimed not only to dismantle the command structure of the 810th Brigade but also to diminish the overall capacity of Russian forces to coordinate their actions against Ukraine.
Military news portal Militarnyi reported the confirmed deaths of deputy commander Salim Mukharbetovich Pashtov, alongside several other officers. The confirmation came from Pashtov's sister, who posted about it on the brigade’s VKontakte group, indicating the attack had significant ramifications within the brigade's ranks.
Local Telegram channels corroborated reports of the strike, informing the public about its impact. Reports suggested additional fatalities, with Russian channels claiming at least seven military personnel were killed along with Pashtov. These deaths included officers involved in order issuance and unit management, highlighting the blow to the brigade's operational leadership.
StratCom described this strike as part of their strategic operations to undermine Russian military coordination. "This precision strike is part of a broader campaign aimed at undermining the Russian military's ability to coordinate operations against Ukraine," stated StratCom, illustrating the offensive's dual role as both tactical and psychological action against Russian forces.
Casualty reports extended beyond military personnel. Alexander Khinshtein, acting head of the Kursk region, alleged the attack damaged five high-rise buildings and two private homes, with reports of at least four civilian deaths and several injuries. This element of civilian impact raises concerns and questions about the conduct of military operations near populated areas, as local authorities grapple with the aftermath of such strikes.
Several local residents were reportedly aware of the command post's location, raising discussions about the integration of military operations within civilian zones. Such proximity inherently complicates the military dynamics of the conflict, as it reflects the dual-use nature of the building and its residents.
Following the attack, Russian media reported defensive actions by their military. Reports indicated Russian air defense systems shot down 59 Ukrainian drones across various regions, demonstrating the heightened conflict escalations. Meanwhile, the operational focus of the Ukrainian forces remains on targeting logistical capabilities of Russian troops, as seen with previous strikes on ammunition depots.
Another significant event related to this conflict occurred earlier, when drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine managed to destroy an ammunition depot at the Kadamovsky training ground, located near Novocherkassk, Rostov region. This successful operation reportedly caused severe damage to Russian supplies, complicate logistics for their troops engaged on the Kramatorsk axis.
The recent strikes and heightened military engagements indicate an escalation of tactics being employed by both sides as the conflict continues. The successful targeting of Russian military infrastructure signals to both domestic and international viewers the persistent operational momentum of Ukrainian forces. It remains to be seen how this might influence the strategic calculus of the Russian military and its future engagements.
The situation remains dynamic and ever-evolving, with both sides adapting their strategies to reflect the challenges and demands of high-intensity conflict. Analysts will closely watch the developments following these strikes to gauge their potential long-term impacts on the broader scope of the conflict.
