Ukrainian forces cannot hold out in Russia's Belgorod province

Ukrainian soldiers raise a flag on an armored personnel carrier. (Source: AFP)

According to the Washington Post on August 15, since August 11, the Ukrainian army has launched a mechanized attack into Belgorod province near the Kolotilovka border post northwest of Belgorod city and advanced about 10 km.

The Ukrainian army failed to consolidate its position in Russia's Belgorod province after attempting to repeat the breakthrough it made in Kursk province earlier. They were forced to retreat under heavy fire from Russian air force and artillery.

Meanwhile, according to Russian sources, in recent days the Ukrainian Armed Forces have carried out continuous attacks near Kolotilovka and by August 15 had temporarily captured the aforementioned checkpoint. However, the Russian side did not confirm that the Ukrainian troops had advanced further than 10km from the checkpoint.

According to the Washington Post, on August 15, Ukrainian armored vehicles crossed the border to evacuate the remaining forces in the province in the face of heavy Russian airstrikes and artillery fire. On August 16, ISW found no evidence of Ukrainian military presence in Belgorod.

Ukrainian soldiers told the Washington Post that the Russian army was better prepared to repel the Belgorod attacks than it was in Kursk. They said the Russian army had installed a large number of anti-tank fortifications – known as “dragon’s teeth” – along the border and heavily mined the territory.

In addition, ISW noted that according to Ukrainian soldiers, Russian artillery units, drone operators and air forces attacked the Ukrainian Armed Forces almost as soon as they crossed the border on August 11.