On August 24, 2024, the Kursk Region Administration announced the creation of the BARS-Kursk volunteer unit. Prospective recruits are promised that they will serve only within the Kursk region in russia on a six-month contract, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
The BARS (Combat Army Reserve of the Country) units were first established in 2021, initially intended to provide the MOD of russia with a cadre of active reservists with a high level of readiness and training. Since March 2022, volunteers have been able to join the BARS units for short-term service. The BARS units are predominantly light infantry formations which lack integrated artillery or armoured vehicles. There are now over 30 BARS units across russian the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
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The creation of the BARS-Kursk volunteer unit is almost certainly a russian response to Ukrainian incursion into Kursk region, which began on August 6, 2024. It is unlikely that the volunteer unit will be set up and able to support any russian military activity in Kursk over the next month. Although it is likely attempting to build its forces in Kursk, russia is currently prioritizing the Pokrovsk axis in the east of Ukraine.
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