Russian soldiers have been seen wearing civilian clothing in the occupied areas of Ukraine's Kursk region. Local sources reported this to Novaya Europe on Wednesday, amid ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in southwestern Russia.
On Monday, the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Readovka shared video footage that allegedly shows Russian soldiers dressed as civilians in the Kursk region.
If this is confirmed, it would violate international humanitarian law. Armed combatants are required to wear distinctive insignia to be clearly identified.
A serviceman with knowledge of security forces in the region said the footage likely shows members of volunteer groups, many of whom are local private security company employees.
Novaya Europe also reported that Russian military units, including the Pyatnashka Brigade, were spotted wearing civilian clothes.
The Pyatnashka Brigade is a private military company contracted by the Russian Defense Ministry. It has been involved in fighting in Ukraine since 2014 and includes special operations forces that were previously deployed in Abkhazia, a disputed area in Georgia.
Another source familiar with Russian intelligence suggested that reconnaissance and assault troops might find it useful to dress as civilians. However, this tactic increases risks for local civilians, who could be mistaken for Russian soldiers by the AFU.
On Monday, the Russian Investigative Committee announced it was looking into attacks on civilians and civilian structures in the Kursk region. The committee claimed that these attacks were carried out by the AFU.
Readovka also released footage on August 8 that allegedly shows civilians in the town of Sudzha coming under fire from Ukrainian forces.
The use of civilian disguises by soldiers complicates an already tense situation. It also puts civilians at greater risk as the distinction between combatants and non-combatants becomes harder to see.
