On Christmas night 2024, Ukrainian forces struck a command post in the Russian town of Lgov, Kursk Oblast, targeting operations tied to Russia’s elite 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade. This deep incursion into Russian territory underscored Ukraine’s reach amid ongoing border clashes.
Elite Brigade Under Fire
The 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade, a key marine unit, has played a central role in Russia’s campaign to counter Ukraine’s August 2024 cross-border offensive in Kursk Oblast. Ukrainian officials identified the Lgov site as the brigade’s command post, housed in an abandoned civilian building, aiming to fracture Russian coordination. Such strikes seek to impair planning, logistics, and troop control, even without confirmed high-level casualties.
Lgov lies well inside Russia, highlighting Ukraine’s capacity for long-range operations. The region has seen intense fighting since Ukraine’s incursion—the largest foreign ground action on Russian soil since World War II—initially capturing substantial territory before Russian counteroffensives reclaimed over 40 percent by late December.
Clash Over the Target
Russian authorities rejected the military designation. Kursk Oblast’s acting governor, Alexander Khinshtein, reported four civilians killed and five wounded, insisting no command post was hit. Independent verification of the building’s use or casualty details remains elusive, mirroring disputes common in the conflict.
Online reports of slain senior officers, including the brigade’s deputy commander, lack substantiation. Ukrainian and international observers have cautioned against unverified claims of major losses.
Kursk’s Escalating Front
The Lgov attack unfolded against Ukraine’s persistent Kursk operations, forcing Russia to shift units, bolster defenses, and draw on external support. Moscow faces mounting manpower strains, with Ukrainian estimates of over one million Russian casualties since 2022—figures Moscow contests—prompting reliance on allies.
North Korea’s involvement marks a pivotal shift: over 10,000 troops deployed since fall 2024, the first foreign combat forces on Russian soil in modern times. Initial contingents of 11,000-12,000 integrated into Russian units in Kursk, with engineering support noted in some accounts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported more than 3,000 North Korean casualties by late December, with higher estimates circulating. Analysts project potential near-total attrition by mid-2025 at current rates, citing harsh terrain, inexperience in modern warfare, and intense combat.
No evidence confirms a fresh 10,000-troop surge post-strike, despite earlier talks of up to 30,000 more. Deployment plans beyond initial waves stay unclear.
Broader Strategic Ripples
Command post hits yield disproportionate impact by disrupting brigade-level oversight of thousands of troops, delaying responses in fluid battles. For Ukraine, the strike signals strike capability on high-profile dates, yet contrasts with pressures on multiple fronts and territorial setbacks in Kursk.
Both sides shape narratives: Ukraine highlights disruption, Russia civilian tolls. This reflects the war’s information battles, where events fuel rapid politicization.
The Lgov raid and North Korean presence signal a conflict venturing into uncharted realms—ground war inside Russia, foreign fighters in Europe, precision deep strikes. These dynamics strain resources, alter alliances, and raise risks of wider entanglement, with outcomes hinging on sustained operations and reinforcements.
Sources:
North Koreans killed in Kursk as they enter Russia-Ukraine …Publication: Al Jazeera
Ukraine’s Army hits Russian army command post in LgovPublication: Ukrinform
Deputy Commander of Russia’s 810th Naval Brigade …Publication: United24 Media
Putin thanks North Korea for troop deployment and promises …Publication: Associated Press (AP News)
North Korean involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) – Wikipedia