Russian Military Presence in Occupied Territories of Ukraine and Kursk Region Reaches 620,000 Soldiers

There are about 620,000 Russian troops in the occupied territories of Ukraine and the Kursk region, Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR), said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine on March 3.

Of these, more than 200,000 are assault units involved in combat operations. Another 35,000 Rosgvardia  troops are guarding the most important facilities and providing security for the occupation “authorities.”

According to Skibitsky, Russia has no problems with manning the troops and replenishing losses. In January, they fulfilled their recruitment plans by 107%.

Currently, Moscow’s priority is the Pokrovsk direction, Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, and Kupiansk.

He added that Ukrainian military intelligence uncovered and disrupted Russia’s plans for major offensive operations set for the second half of 2024 and early 2025, he added.

Skibitskyi said that Ukraine’s intelligence agencies worked in coordination to identify Moscow’s strategy in advance and take appropriate countermeasures.

The intelligence revealed that Russia had been preparing to launch at least two major offensives, neither of which materialized.

“We became aware of the enemy’s preparation and development of a direct offensive plan on at least two fronts. These offensives, scheduled for the second half of 2024 and early 2025, never took place,” Skibitskyi stated.

Even after Russian strategies were exposed, Russian troops continued regrouping and combat training, indicating their intent to carry out these operations at a later stage, Skibitskyi concluded.

“Just because Russia’s plans are uncovered and they realize they can no longer execute an operation as intended doesn’t mean they abandon it altogether. They regroup, conduct preparatory activities, and engage in combat training to execute those same plans later. Exposure of enemy plans does not equate to a full rejection of them,” Skibitskyi warned.

Earlier, Skibitskyi reported that Russia was preparing to launch up to 500 drones at Ukraine simultaneously, significantly increasing its aerial assault capabilities.