In a significant development in the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian forces have employed U.S.-manufactured High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to target Russian logistics in the Kursk region. This operation marks a notable cross-border incursion into Russian territory, with Ukrainian troops reportedly advancing up to 28-35 kilometers inside Russia's borders.
The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces confirmed via Telegram that HIMARS operators have been successfully destroying pontoon bridges and engineering equipment in the Kursk Oblast. This marks the first official acknowledgment from Kyiv regarding the use of Western weapons in this unprecedented offensive, which began on August 6, 2024.
According to Ukrainian military sources, at least three bridges spanning the Seym River have been damaged or destroyed since the onset of the operation. Satellite imagery has corroborated these claims, revealing the destruction of a pontoon crossing between the Russian settlements of Zvannoe and Glushkovo. This crossing, situated approximately 14 kilometers from the border, was likely established between August 14 and 17, 2024, following the earlier destruction of two bridges. By August 19, 2024, satellite images showed the crossing had been eliminated, with smoke visible in the area.
The use of U.S.-made weapons within Russian territory has raised concerns about potential escalation. The Kremlin has expressed its view that such actions represent an intensification of the conflict. Meanwhile, Washington has maintained that its policies remain unchanged, asserting that Ukraine is acting in self-defense against Russian aggression.
While Ukraine reports a string of successes in its Kursk offensive, Russia continues to press forward along the eastern front. The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed control over several settlements, including Zhelanne, Svyrydonivka, and the town of Niu York, located approximately 46 kilometers from Pokrovsk. Ukrainian military officials have not directly addressed these claims but have reported intense fighting in the areas mentioned.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has stated that the advance in the Kursk region has resulted in greater territorial gains than Russia has achieved since the beginning of the year. This assertion underscores the strategic significance of the current offensive.
As the conflict approaches its two-and-a-half-year mark since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, both sides continue to employ advanced military technologies and strategies. The use of HIMARS, drones, and satellite imagery highlights the evolving nature of modern warfare, where precision strikes and real-time intelligence play crucial roles.
"Where do Russian pontoon bridges 'disappear' in the Kursk region? Operators ... accurately destroy them."
The ongoing situation in Kursk and along the eastern front demonstrates the fluid nature of the conflict, with both sides claiming advances and employing various tactics to gain strategic advantages. As the international community closely monitors these developments, the use of Western-supplied weapons in cross-border operations adds a new dimension to the already complex geopolitical landscape.