The head of the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence (GUR) of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, stressed that the incursion into the Kursk region had a serious impact on Russian offensive operations in Ukraine. He also highlighted the prospects for continuing these operations in the winter of 2024-2025. In an interview published on September 7, Budanov said that Kiev had complicated Russian plans for offensive actions in August and later this fall, as quoted by News .bg.
This is what the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) writes.
Budanov noted that the Russian military command had committed significant forces and equipment to achieve its objective in the "main direction,", possibly referring to Pokrovsk. Although Russian forces are stepping up advances around Pokrovsk and west of Donetsk, ISW has not seen a significant increase in Russian operations on other front lines in Ukraine.
The Russian command may be able to move enough forces to Pokrovsk to continue current operations, but there is a possibility of a climax before the city is captured.
Budanov also noted that winter conditions will complicate Russian actions, but this will not stop attacks on Ukrainian positions. Historically, the fall season has hindered ground maneuvers on both sides, while cold winter periods usually facilitate the movement of armored vehicles.
Iran is reported to have recently supplied Russia with over 200 Fateh-360 ballistic missiles. The missiles are likely to be used against Ukrainian infrastructure in the fall and winter.
Ukraine continues to adapt its anti-drone systems, using lower-end systems to offset Russian attacks. Ukrainian analyst Petro Chernyk emphasized that Ukrainian electronic warfare systems successfully interfere with Russian drones, causing them to crash. The Ukrainian company Besomar has also developed an interceptor drone that is already being used in combat operations.