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Elite FSB units face losses while fighting in Kursk Oblast. Russia is deploying FSB special forces against Ukrainian Defense Forces in Kursk Oblast, Novaya Gazeta reports, noting social media posts about a Special Forces soldier who died there in mid-August.

Reports indicate that special units of the FSB are engaged in combat in Kursk Oblast, suffering casualties, including the recent death of 35-year-old Mykhailo T., whose posts about his death surfaced on social media. He served in special forces in Moscow Oblast and died during fierce fighting near Suja and Koreneve.

Publications regarding the lieutenant’s death first emerged on Aug. 15, with his last social media activity recorded on Aug. 13.

The FSB’s “Alpha” and “Vympel” units, which number only a few hundred, have reportedly seen at least 100 of their personnel killed in the war as of September 2024, including some from the Border Service.

The death of any member from these elite units significantly impacts the FSB, which previously faced its largest losses during the Beslan tragedy in 2004, when ten special forces operatives were killed.

With a state of emergency declared in Oblast, authorities have turned to the special services, indicating a decision by the FSB to deploy elite fighters against perceived Ukrainian saboteurs.

However, the source cautioned that in a conventional conflict involving heavy weaponry, these special forces have limited chances against a regular army.

Another source close to the FSB stated that the fight against Ukrainian saboteurs does not align with the FSB’s Central Security Service’s operations, suggesting that the current counter-terrorism framework is unsuitable for the situation in Kursk.