Battered Russian Naval Infantry Brigade Rotates Out of Kursk After Grueling Four Months
The Russian 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, a crucial component of Moscow’s counteroffensive in the Kursk Oblast, is reportedly being withdrawn from the front lines after four months of intense fighting. The brigade, numbering around 2,500 personnel, has been heavily engaged in attempts to reclaim territory lost to a surprise Ukrainian incursion into western Russia. The unit’s redeployment to Plekhove, a village on the eastern edge of the contested salient, is being characterized by Russian sources as a temporary rotation for rest and recuperation, not a retreat. However, the move highlights the grueling nature of the conflict in Kursk and the heavy toll it has taken on Russian forces.
The 810th Brigade, along with the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade, has been at the forefront of the Russian counteroffensive, facing fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces. Their efforts to push back the Ukrainian advance in the western part of the salient have been largely unsuccessful, marked by costly assaults against fortified positions. Both brigades have suffered significant losses in personnel and equipment due to Ukrainian mines, drone attacks, and artillery fire. The 155th Brigade has reportedly undergone multiple cycles of destruction and rebuilding, highlighting the intensity of the combat. The 810th now also appears to require respite and replenishment.
The 810th Brigade’s recent operations have been particularly challenging. In November, the brigade reportedly committed two battalions, totaling approximately 800 marines, to an assault on Ukrainian forces in Pogrebki, a strategically important village in the contested area. This offensive ultimately stalled, resulting in heavy losses for the attacking force. The brigade also suffered casualties in a Christmas Day bombardment of a headquarters in Lgov, further depleting its ranks and potentially disrupting its command structure.
The decision to rotate the 810th Brigade out of the front lines underscores the slow and costly nature of the Russian counteroffensive in Kursk. Despite a significant numerical advantage, bolstered by the presence of a 12,000-strong North Korean contingent, Russian forces have struggled to regain control of the lost territory. They have only managed to recapture a fraction of the salient, highlighting the effectiveness of Ukrainian defenses and the challenges faced by the Russian military. The protracted and costly nature of the conflict has raised concerns about the overall effectiveness of the Russian strategy and the sustainability of their offensive operations.
The human cost of the Kursk counteroffensive remains difficult to quantify with certainty. While precise Russian casualty figures are unavailable, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that the North Korean 11th Army Corps has suffered a staggering 25% casualty rate. Given the similar infantry-focused tactics employed by both Russian and North Korean forces, it is plausible that Russian losses are comparable. The 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, having been heavily engaged in frontline combat, may have incurred even higher casualties.
The 810th Brigade’s redeployment to Plekhove offers only limited respite. The village, while located behind the immediate front lines, remains within range of Ukrainian artillery, raising concerns about the safety and security of the resting troops. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Russian forces in Kursk and the difficulty of finding safe havens for their depleted units. The ongoing conflict and the heavy losses sustained by both sides point to a protracted and bloody struggle for control of the region. The temporary reprieve for the 810th Brigade may be short-lived as the battle for Kursk continues.
The Kursk counteroffensive reveals the limitations of Russia’s military machine. The slow progress and heavy losses endured by Russian and allied forces, including the battered 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, depict a campaign plagued by logistical issues, tactical setbacks, and a resilient Ukrainian defense. The need to rotate the 810th Brigade to a comparatively less dangerous location, albeit one still within range of Ukrainian artillery, reveals the constant pressure faced by Russian forces in the region. The future of the Kursk offensive remains uncertain, but the cost of regaining lost ground continues to climb. The toll on the exhausted 810th Naval Infantry Brigade serves as a microcosm of the broader struggles facing the Russian military in Ukraine. As the war grinds on, the struggle for Kursk remains a focal point, highlighting the human cost of the conflict and the ongoing challenges faced by both sides in this brutal war of attrition.