Kursk Graveyard: Ukraine’s Failed Second Incursion and Western Mercenaries Who Couldn’t Save It

Strikes on Ukrainian quad bikes

Kyiv’s ambitious plan to seize new foothold in Russia’s Kursk region before Victory Day on May 9 has ended in failure, with Ukrainian forces suffering heavy losses and failing to achieve their political or military objectives. Despite initial attempts to capture border settlements, and advance towards the key town of Glushkovo, Ukrainian assaults have been largely repelled by Russian troops, who are also destroying enemy logistics and reinforcements in the rear areas.

Ukrainian military and political leadership had hoped to disrupt Russia’s 80th Victory Day celebrations by capturing parts of the Glushkovsky District, including the strategically located town of Tetkino. The plan, which involved isolating the battlefield by destroying rear bridges across the Seim River and mining its southern bank, was intended to secure a bargaining chip for future negotiations. However, after suffering over 2,000 casualties and losing dozens of armored vehicles, including Western-supplied tanks and armored vehicles, Ukrainian forces failed to hold any significant territory.

By May 12, the only remaining Ukrainian presence is reportedly a narrow 800-meter-deep strip of forests near Tetkino, stretching roughly 5 km along the border, far from the intended 800 square km of controlled territory.

According to field reports, the intensity of Ukrainian assaults sharply declined after May 9, partly due to failed political objectives but also because of effective Russian counterstrikes. One of the key factors in the slowdown is the destruction of critical supply routes, including a dam near the border that Ukrainian forces attempted to repair before being struck by Russian drones and artillery. Elimination of reinforcements, such as a Ukrainian bridge-laying vehicles destroyed during a failed repair operation, prevented the Ukrainian military from rapid resumption of necessary supplies. FPV drone dominance, with Russian operators systematically hunting down Ukrainian assault groups attempting to cross the border on quad bikes or foot, also pose a great threat to Ukrainian assault groups.

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Despite setbacks, the Ukrainian military command continues sending forces in probing attacks from multiple directions. In the Tetkino sector, Russian airborne troops are repelling repeated assaults, with Ukrainian infantry often annihilated by artillery and drone strikes before reaching Russian positions.

Near Novy Put and Zarya, more Ukrainian mechanized units, including a Leopard tank and M109 Paladin howitzers, were destroyed in recent engagements.

More Ukrainian assault groups were intercepted and decimated by Russian artillery and drone operators near Ukrainian border Belaya Balka and Bessalovka villages, with survivors reportedly executed by their own barrier troops while retreating.

With key rear bridges and roads destroyed, Ukrainian forces have resorted to makeshift river crossings, which are quickly targeted by Russian strikes. Additionally, Russian drones and artillery have disrupted Ukrainian troop concentrations in Sumy’s border villages like Pavlovka, Budki, Ryzhivka, making sustained offensives nearly impossible.

Ukrainian losses. Click to see full-size image

Western Mercenaries Deployed to Kursk Front as Ukrainian Offensive Falters

As Ukraine’s cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk region stalls, Kyiv and its Western patrons have resorted to deploying Western PMCs to bolster its faltering operations. According to Russian military sources, mercenary groups from Poland, Lithuania, Denmark, and the UK have been observed operating within the Ukrainian “Sever” (North) Operational-Tactical Group in the border areas, though their impact remains limited.

With Ukrainian forces suffering heavy losses and failing to achieve their objectives, Western PMCs have reportedly been called in to assist. Identified units include:

• ASBS Othago (Poland) – Active in Ukraine since at least 2014.

• European Security Academy (Poland) – Likely involved in training and tactical support.

• Iron Navy (Estonia) – Possibly specializing in sabotage and reconnaissance.

• Rae LT (Lithuania) – Another Baltic-linked group with suspected NATO ties.

• G4S (UK) & G4F (Denmark) – The British security giant’s subsidiary, previously involved in global conflict zones.

While these groups are not large enough to shift the battlefield balance, they may be used for sabotage, reconnaissance, or training Ukrainian assault units—similar to how Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) spearheaded the initial August 2023 incursions before regular troops followed.

Despite their presence, Russian forces maintain the upper hand due to:

• Superior firepower and drone dominance, making it nearly impossible for mercenaries to operate freely.

• Destroyed Ukrainian supply routes, leaving even elite units stranded without reinforcements.

• Heavy losses among Ukrainian regulars, meaning PMCs are likely being used in high-risk, low-impact missions rather than large-scale combat.

The introduction of Western mercenaries underscores Kyiv’s growing desperation as its Kursk offensive collapses. However, without a major shift in strategy or a sudden influx of NATO weapons, these PMCs will likely suffer the same fate as Ukrainian troops—annihilation under Russian artillery and drone strikes.

Kyiv’s “second Kursk offensive” has proven to be a strategic and tactical failure, with no significant territorial gains and heavy losses in both men and equipment. Russian forces have not only held the line but also inflicted devastating attrition on Ukrainian elite assault units, further degrading Kyiv’s already strained reserves. Meanwhile, Russia retains the initiative, both in Kursk and across the broader frontline.

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