In a remarkable display of precision targeting, Ukrainian forces have struck the headquarters of Russia's 810th Naval Infantry Brigade in Belaya, Kursk Oblast - the second such attack in just two weeks.
The Ukrainian general staff in Kyiv confirmed the strike on Tuesday, dealing another blow to the already struggling Russian marine unit that has been spearheading counteroffensive operations in western Russia's Kursk region.
This latest attack follows a previous strike on Christmas Day when Ukrainian forces hit another headquarters of the same brigade in Lgov, creating what Ukrainian officials described as a "fiery impression."
The 2,500-strong 810th Naval Infantry Brigade has faced mounting pressure and sustained heavy losses during their two-month campaign. The unit recently withdrew to Plekhove for a brief respite after failed attempts to make progress along the northwest edge of the Kursk salient.
The brigade's troubles don't end there. Ukrainian forces also reported repelling another Russian marine assault near Pogrebki, where the 810th has committed at least two 400-person battalions since November with little success. Adding to their woes, a separate Ukrainian missile strike targeted Russian marine concentrations in Ivanovskoe.
Ukraine's ability to conduct these precision strikes deep behind enemy lines demonstrates their growing arsenal of long-range weapons, which may include U.S.-made HIMARS rockets, French and British cruise missiles, and various guided munitions.
The repeated targeting of the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade's command structures highlights Ukraine's tactical focus on disrupting Russian military leadership and coordination in the region, particularly within the 250-square-mile salient Ukrainian forces established in Kursk during August.