Title: Russian Brigade Retreats to Regroup Near Kursk Front Line
After four months of intense combat in the Kursk region, Russia’s 810th Separate Guard Marine Brigade has sustained significant losses and is now cooling its heels in the village of Plehovo, just a stone’s throw from the front line. The brigade, one of two main Russian marine units supporting its offensive in Kursk, is taking a break to recuperate and regroup, as reported by Forbes.
The 810th Brigade, comprising around 2,500 personnel, is heavily battered after months of mainly unsuccessful assaults. A Russian blogger cited by Forbes notes that the brigade’s move to Plehovo is not a retreat but a temporary rotation off the front line, giving the troops a chance to catch their breath, reflect, and prepare for upcoming battles.
However, it’s hard to deny that both the 810th and 155th Marine Brigades are severely depleted after months of fighting. The 155th, for instance, has been restocked numerous times and is currently on its last replenishment, having lost many soldiers and most of its equipment to Ukrainian mines, drones, and artillery.
Russia’s 810th Brigade is likely in similarly dire straits. Its headquarters in the city of Flyers even came under attack by Ukrainian defense forces on December 25, which could have resulted in casualties among the brigade’s command staff.
Yet, uncertainty looms over the efficiency of Russia’s regrouping effort in Plehovo. The village lies within range of Ukrainian heavy artillery, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the Russian brigade’s much-needed respite.
The Kremlin’s decision to pull back some of its exhausted troops from the Kursk front line underscores the slow pace and high cost of Russia’s counteroffensive in the region. Despite outnumbering Ukrainian forces by 60,000 to 20,000 and receiving backing from a 12,000-strong North Korean corps, Russian forces have only managed to reclaim a quarter of the salient.
Estimates suggest Russia may have lost more than a quarter of its military personnel in the process. While there’s no official word on these casualties, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did claim that North Korean forces sustained 25% losses on this front. Given these figures, the 810th Separate Marine Brigade’s losses might even be higher.
READ MORE: Ukraine Strikes Russian Marine Brigade’s Command Post in Kursk
In an unrelated development, Ukraine recently struck the headquarters of the Russia’s 810th Marine Brigade in the city of Flyers. The attack might have targeted North Korean officers present at the base, potentially resulting in casualties. The strike likewise claimed the life of the brigade’s deputy commander, Salim Pashtov, as confirmed by his sister on social media.
Cover image: Russian troops during the counteroffensive on the Kursk front. (Source: Facebook, UALandForces)
