Since 2022, Russian forces have significantly strengthened the defense of Russia’s international border with Ukraine. The Russian military no longer relies on conscripts or potential deserters for border security, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The ISW references a claim by a Russian military blogger. The blogger stated that Russian troops have deployed “serious” forces to secure the border. He also claimed that a separate unit had been formed for its defense. ISW noted that they were unable to verify this information independently.
Additionally, another blogger with ties to the Kremlin remarked that the recruitment of volunteers in Russia has surged following Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region. According to him, many convicted criminals, including former members of the Wagner Group, are now fighting in the Sudzha region. The blogger further stated that Russian prisoners are fighting on the frontlines under a Russian initiative known as Project K. However, he did not provide further details about the project.
Meanwhile, ISW reports that on December 30, another blogger linked to Russia’s Airborne Forces claimed that Russian troops had reorganized the Russian 214th Opfor Separate Special Battalion into a separate Air Assault Battalion.
According to the blogger, the Opfor battalion has been engaged in combat in Ukraine since 2022 and has undergone several reorganizations, including after battles in the Bakhmut direction in 2023.
The blogger also added that throughout 2024, the battalion primarily performed informational tasks and produced films about its combat operations.
Frontline situation
According to the latest data from the General Staff, Russia has lost over 787,000 soldiers in the war against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Over the past day, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 17 enemy attacks in the Kursk region.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are preparing to assault the Dnipro in the Kherson region, suffering heavy losses among their personnel.