Brief update on the order of battle of the offensive operations in Kursk Oblast (without mentioning the advances and the current status from a tactical point of view), in addition to what I wrote yesterday in response to u/Usual_Diver_4172.
It’s not easy to perfectly identify the units involved in this first phase, for several imaginable reasons; moreover, MIA notices have yet to come out. But let’s try.
On the Ukrainian side, elements of the 22nd Mechanized Brigade, of the 80th and (perhaps) of the 82nd Air Assault Brigades are likely leading the actions. In the first case (22nd), we knew that this brigade had been moved to Sumy Oblast and the Russian MoD has been stating since August 6 that the attacks were started by this unit. In the second case (80th), it’s the only maneuver unit of which we currently have an official confirmation, from Ukrainian sources, showing it being committed in the sector (in my opinion its 1st and/or 2nd Battalions, previously engaged in Klishchiivka). This could be an explanation for the recent removal of the commander of the 80th Air Assault Brigade (Ishkulov), who perhaps disagreed with this plan (he was replaced by the former commander of the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, Rozlach). Kriegsforscher seems to [agree] (https://x.com/OSINTua/status/1820729677708767260) with this theory. In the third case (82nd), the Marders we saw might belong to them, at least if they have not recently been assigned to other brigades we are not aware about. There is then the “Nakhtihal” Unit of the 14th Regiment of Unmanned Drones. The presence of Strike UAV units is absolutely essential to inflict maximum damage on the enemy and intercept/hit movements of reinforcements.
https://t.me/DeepStateUA/20086
“Khorne Group”, the UAV unit of the 116th Mech Brigade, released a video showing Ukrainian vehicles moving inside Russian territory, describing them as “our vehicles”. It is unclear whether they meant our in the sense of Ukrainians or in the sense of belonging to the 116th Mech Brigade, which was/is in the Kupyansk sector.
Special forces units are probably providing support and operate as reconnaissance groups. The new 152nd Mech Brigade (it was the only one among the five brigades created in late 2023 that had never been committed so far) has likely recently arrived in Sumy Oblast, as far as I could find, but it may be covering the border elsewhere and not be directly involved.
Interestingly, the tactical marking used by the Ukrainians right now is the same one that had been seen on vehicles (e.g. Kozak-2 IMVs) of the 13th Jager Brigade, in late June, during some tensions with Belarus. This brigade had been created a year and a half ago but was never directly committed along the front - it has been covering the border with Belarus. Of course, that doesn’t mean it is involved in these actions, and that tactical marking could be adopted by units operating on the northern front in general.
https://t.me/milinfolive/125264
Probably TDF units were brought in to consolidate gains in the rear and begin fortifications works: digging, woodworking, etc. Let’s recall that quite a lot of company and platoon strongpoints were captured. Russian sources report that in Sudzha the Ukrainians are setting up firing points inside the buildings.
Small update on the Pokrovsk sector too: in addition to the reinforcements we saw yesterday (although I’m still not sure about the 88th Mech Brigade), the 14th “Chervona Kalyna” Brigade of the National Guard is being transferred there from the Orikhiv sector, possibly along with elements of the 28th Mech Brigade (in this case from the Chasiv Yar sector).
On the Russian side, we know that there were detachments of the Border Service and battalions of conscripts in the area (who saw the bulk of the fighting and surrendered in large numbers, by the standards of this conflict). The Russian Telegram channel “Northern Channel”, run by servicemen of the Group of Forces “North”, reported today that in the eastern outskirts of Sudzha a battalion of the 488th Motorized Regiment (144th Motorized Division, 20th CAA) - almost certainly the one made up of conscripts and detached from the rest of the regiment - and one of the “102nd Brigade” are at risk of getting surrounded. It’s not entirely clear what this unit is; it’s possible it is the 102nd Special Purpose Brigade of the Rosgvardia.
According to the Ukrainian observer Mashovets, battalions of the 18th Motorized Division of the 11th Corps and of the 128th Motorized Brigade of the 44th Corps, which were in the rear of the Kharkiv sector as tactical reserves (while the rest of their units were committed), are being hastily transferred to Kursk Oblast.
https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/2101
The GoF “North”, at the time offensive operations began, according to Ukrainian estimates, could count on 72/75 thousand servicemen, 320/350 tanks, 760/770 armored fighting vehicles, 800/820 artillery guns (≥100mm, including mortars) and 150/160 MLRS systems. These figures are, though, to a very large extent concentrated in Belgorod Oblast.
https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/2098
The 45th Spetsnaz VDV Brigade, i.e. on paper the most elite brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, is on its way to Kursk. A channel affiliated with the 106th VDV Division denied (in the comments) rumors about the arrival of the latter formation, but confirmed the transfer of the 45th Brigade.
According to Russian sources, the recon battalion of the 45th Spetsnaz VDV Brigade had already been brought into action in July in the Hlyboke area (Kharkiv sector). So far, however, the bulk of the brigade was in the Kamyanske sector.
The commander of the “Akhmat Special Forces”, Apti Alaudinov, stated that Chechen units defending the border were unable to prevent the Ukrainian advance as the latters “passed” Chechen strongholds.
Russian sources are extremely critical with the perfomance of Kadyrovites. In the area there should be the “Akhmat-Zapad” Battalion; the 349th Regiment (“Akhmat-Russia”) and the 1434th Regiment (“Akhmat-Chechnya”) of the Territorial Forces. These units, unlike others in the “Akhmat” galaxy (such as those I will list below), are composed largely of ethnic Chechens.
Today the 204th “Aida” Regiment of the “Akhmat Special Forces” arrived from Vovchansk (where the “Kamerton” Detachment, formed by former Wagnerites, is deployed too); together, according to Russian sources, with the new “Iskra” Detachment, created in April by a former commander of the 1st Assault Detachment of PMC Wagner (Ratibor), who joined the “Akhmat Special Forces”.
https://t.me/condottieros/4868
Recall that the 22nd Motorized Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Division of the 44th Corps is the only regiment of the division that had not been committed yet and was rumored to be going into action at Hlyboke, by Russian sources. At this point, it could be taking… other routes. In the Grayvoron area moreover there are elements of the 245th Motorized Regiment of the 47th Tank Division (1st GTA) and of the 11th Tank Brigade (25th CAA), subunits of both of which were involved in the unsuccessful attacks on Sotnytskyi Kozachok over thre last month. Moreover, in Kursk Oblast there should be elements of the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, as we had seen yesterday.
Minor units such as the “ArBat” Battalion and the “Pyatnashka” Brigade (formally the 3rd Battalion of the 87th Rifle Regiment of the Mobilization Reserve of the 51st CAA - the former 1st Corps) have reportedly arrived in Kursk today.
https://t.me/arbat_pyatnashka/780
I would not rule out the arrival of special forces from the GRU, Rosgvardia or FSB. In case of future problems the Russians might also send, in my opinion, elements of the 76th VDV Division and the 336th Naval Infantry Brigade, which are deployed, however, in Southern Ukraine at the moment.