Russian Forces Liberate Kolesnikova in Kharkov Region
Russian forces in Kolesnikovka, Kharkiv region, Nov. 11, 2024. X/ @MaimunkaNews
November 11, 2024 Hour: 9:54 am
The Russians drove out some 530 Ukrainian soldiers and destroyed heavy artillery of British and Polish manufacture.
On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the takeover of the town of Kolesnikovka, located in the Kharkiv province. The expansion of the Russian control line is part of the so-called “special military operation” that Moscow has maintained since the beginning of the conflict with Ukraine.
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U.S. intelligence reports indicate that additional Russian forces are mobilizing toward Kursk, a border region previously invaded by troops under Ukrainian command months ago. The liberation of Kolesnikovka was accompanied by clashes that left up to 530 Ukrainian soldiers out of action and destroyed military vehicles and weapons, including British- and Polish-made heavy artillery.
The deployment in Kharkiv is part of a coordinated effort to secure control in this strategic area. In other front-line areas, the Southern Group of Forces reportedly neutralized up to 540 Ukrainian troops and destroyed American and British military equipment, including electronic warfare systems.
Similarly, the Central Group of Forces reported Ukrainian casualties and the destruction of tanks and howitzers. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the goal is to maintain territorial dominance and weaken Ukrainian counterattack capabilities.
U.S. intelligence reports published by The New York Times indicate that a group of about 50,000 troops is mobilizing for a possible offensive in this region. Analysts suggest that this troop buildup not only strengthens Russia’s defense in the area but could also serve as a strategy to put pressure on Ukraine on multiple fronts simultaneously. The mobilization of these troops comes amid a personnel shortage in the Ukrainian army, leading Kyiv authorities to consider recruiting women and carrying out forced mobilizations to sustain their defensive lines.
The situation in Kursk and eastern Ukraine is a concern for Kyiv’s Western allies. The U.S. has maintained continuous support for Ukraine, both financially and in terms of intelligence. However, Western analysts point out that Ukraine’s troop shortage has affected its ability to maintain a strong defense in areas under constant Russian pressure. The Ukrainian incursion into Kursk last August, although resulting in temporary territorial gains, has come at the cost of weakening its forces on the eastern front, where Russia has managed to reclaim some lost territory.
U.S. intelligence reports emphasize that, despite recent losses, the Russian military retains a significant capability to carry out coordinated offensives on multiple fronts. For its part, Ukraine continues to receive military and economic support from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), though the sustainability of this support is under discussion in various countries.
teleSUR/ JF Source: RT – Sputnik – New York Times