Latest news with #Kesselmann
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Estonian Intelligence says Ukraine is withdrawing troops from Russia's Kursk Oblast in organised manner
Estonian Intelligence has confirmed that Ukraine is gradually withdrawing its military contingent from Russia's Kursk Oblast. It has also talked about the situation on the Donetsk front. Source: ERR quoting Deputy Chief of Estonian Intelligence Janek Kesselmann, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Estonian intelligence officer said that the most active battles in the Russian-Ukrainian war are currently taking place in Kursk Oblast. He noted that Estonia can confirm that there is an "organised withdrawal of the Ukrainian contingent from Kursk Oblast". Meanwhile, the country's intelligence centre has no information that Russia has significantly increased its contingent on the Kursk front in recent months. "The actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces also indicate that the leadership of the Armed Forces has decided to withdraw from the Kursk front," he said. The territories marked in green were liberated by Ukrainian troops. The territories in blue are Russian territories under Ukraine's control. Screenshot: DeepState Kesselmann stated that protracted combat continues in Kursk Oblast, allowing Ukrainian soldiers to withdraw. He also said that a big Russian propaganda campaign is underway in the media. Regarding other fronts, Kesselmann stated that Russia continues to exert pressure on Donetsk Oblast, particularly in the area of Pokrovsk. The territories marked in red are occupied by Russia. Screenshot: DeepState Background: On 10 March, UK intelligence reported that Ukraine's defence forces had conducted a series of counteroffensive actions near the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, while in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Russian forces were putting pressure on Ukrainian units. On 13 March, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Russians had attacked the positions of Ukraine's defence forces 84 times on 10 fronts. The fiercest fighting was recorded on the Pokrovsk front. The hostilities continued in Kursk Oblast, where five Russian attacks were repelled during the day. On 14 March, US President Donald Trump said that "thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position", probably referring to the latest developments in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia pays for every square kilometre captured in Ukraine with 100 soldiers, Estonian intelligence reports
The Estonian Defence Forces Intelligence Centre has assessed that in January 2025, capturing one square kilometre of Ukrainian territory cost Russia the lives of 100 soldiers from its armed forces. Source: European Pravda, citing ERR, an Estonian media outlet and Janek Kesselmann, Deputy Chief of the Estonian Defence Forces Intelligence Centre Details: Estonian intelligence indicates that recent geopolitical events have not affected the course of hostilities in Ukraine. "The fighting continues on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides," Kesselmann said. The most intense battles occurred in Russia's Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian forces launched an offensive from the city of Sudzha in a southeastern direction. Meanwhile, the situation on the Pokrovsk front, which remains the primary axis for Russia's offensive operations, has not changed significantly. If Russian forces manage to capture Pokrovsk, their next targets will likely be the the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, but at the current pace, this will not happen quickly, Estonian intelligence notes. Kesselmann estimates that at this tempo occupation of the entire territory of Ukraine could be possible by 2075. Estonian intelligence has assessed that compared to late 2024, Russian forces captured approximately 100 square kilometres less territory in January 2025, while suffering an average of 100 casualties per square kilometre (killed and wounded). Russia's relatively high casualty rate – between 1,000 and 1,500 killed or wounded daily – has forced its military to send wounded soldiers back into battle, the report notes. Quote from Estonian intelligence: "The effectiveness of such 'assault units' is highly questionable. However, they serve to exhaust Ukrainian forces (mainly by depleting their ammunition supplies) and allow Russia to avoid dealing with war-disabled soldiers and paying long-term benefits." More details: Kesselmann added that Ukraine is holding its ground well on all fronts. "Of course, the situation is extremely difficult and the losses are significant, but Russia's losses are clearly greater than Ukraine's," he said. Background: Earlier, Estonian intelligence reported that Russia does not currently pose a direct military threat to Estonia. It was also noted that China is helping Russia circumvent sanctions and supplying drone components. Support UP or become our patron!
