Russia knew about Ukraine’s Kursk plans, was preparing for months: Report

Russia knew about Ukraine’s plan to launch the Kursk offensive for months and had been preparing to prevent it, purported Russian documents seized by the Ukrainian army show. The Guardian reported citing the documents that Moscow had been worried about the low morale of the Russian troops on the frontlines. These concerns were apparently exacerbated after a Russian soldier died by suicide, stressed from “prolonged” service in the army.

The purported documents showed that the Kremlin had instructed Russian commanders to ensure soldiers watch enough state-backed media every day for the betterment of their “psychological condition.”

Are the documents real?

Ukraine claims to have seized the documents from abandoned Russian posts in the Kursk region. However, the Guardian clarified it couldn’t verify the authenticity of the papers. But, the documents had the hallmarks of genuine Russian army communications.

Ukrainian troops seized documents affiliated with the Russian interior ministry and spy agency FSB.

Some documents are dated just six weeks before Ukraine launched its incursion into the Kursk region on 6 August. According to the report, the documents most likely came from Russia’s 488th Guards Motorised Rifle Regiment.

What documents said about the Ukrainian offensive?

One entry made on January 4 revealed that Russia knew about the “potential for a breakthrough at the state border” by Ukrainian armed groups. Moscow had allegedly asked the army to increase training and vigilance to be in a position to thwart any such attack.

On February 19, the Russian commanders were again warned of “a rapid push from the Sumy region into Russian territory, up to a depth of 80km [50 miles], to establish a four-day ‘corridor’ ahead of the arrival of the main Ukrainian army units on armoured vehicles”.

Then in March, the units on the frontlines were asked to boost defences and to organise additional exercises for the leadership of units and strongpoints regarding the proper organisation of defences” in preparation for a Ukrainian cross-border attack.

(With inputs from agencies)

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