Withdrawal of Russian Troops to Kursk Weakens Their Defenses in Vovchansk, Reports British Intelligence

Russia has withdrawn forces from the Vovchansk area to support operations in the Kursk region, where Ukraine captured a salient of Russian territory in August 2024. This has weakened Russia’s military capabilities in the Vovchansk region, British Ministry of Defense wrote on X on October 1.

Fighting for Vovchansk has been ongoing since May 2024, when Russian forces launched an offensive in Kharkiv region, likely in an attempt to create a “buffer zone” to prevent or soften potential Ukrainian attacks near Belgorod.

British intelligence reports that this has turned Vovchansk, located just 5 kilometers south of the Ukrainian-Russian border, into a fiercely contested city, with both sides aiming to push the other out of the area.

At the end of September 2024, Ukrainian forces successfully recaptured and cleared the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant, which had been a key Russian stronghold, allowing tactical operations along the Vovcha River.

“The loss of this position will likely limit the ability of Russian ground forces to advance in Kharkiv Oblast. Ukrainian control of the plant is expected to support further counteroffensives north of the city, pushing Russian forces closer to the Ukrainian-Russian border,” the UK Ministry of Defense noted.

Earlier, HUR soldiers reported that Russian soldiers reportedly resorted to cannibalism during Vovchansk plant siege.