August 14th 2024.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated as Ukrainian forces continue their major cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk region for a second week. They have claimed to have taken more ground, captured more Russian prisoners, and even destroyed a jet bomber while launching a massive attack on Russian military airfields.
According to the commander of the Ukrainian military, Oleksandr Syrskyi, their assault troops have advanced 1-2 kilometres in some parts of Kursk since the start of the day. In a video posted on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Telegram channel, Syrskyi shared the progress of their operation.
Additionally, Ukrainian troops have taken more than 100 Russian soldiers prisoner, according to Syrskyi. Zelenskyy has announced that they will use these prisoners as leverage to swap for Ukrainian POWs.
The Ukrainian General Staff also reported that their troops have destroyed a Russian Su-34 jet in Kursk, which was used to launch devastating glide bombs at Ukrainian front-line positions and cities. This unexpected charge onto Russian soil, which began on August 6, has caused concern for the Kremlin. Military analysts believe that this daring operation involves around 10,000 Ukrainian troops, supported by armor and artillery.
However, it is not possible to independently verify the claim made by Ukraine's top military commander that their forces have advanced into 1000 square kilometers of the Kursk region. If this is true, it would mean that they have captured almost as much land in just one week as Russian forces took in the first seven months of this year.
In addition to their ground offensive, Ukraine has also launched its biggest attack on Russian military airfields since the start of the war. A Ukrainian security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that their goal is to weaken Russia's air power advantage in the war.
On the other side, the governor of Russia's Belgorod border region has declared a regional emergency due to heavy shelling from the Ukrainian forces. The situation there is described as "extremely difficult and tense," with homes destroyed and civilian casualties reported. Local authorities are working to evacuate and protect the population, especially children who are being moved to safer areas.
It is not yet clear how or when Ukraine plans to withdraw from the territory they have taken in Kursk. The Ukrainian military claims to control 74 settlements in the region, but Russian officials say that more than 100,000 people have been evacuated, mostly from Kursk.
In a video report from Sudzha, a Russian town near the border, Ukrainian TV channel 1+1 showed burnt-out Russian military vehicles and Ukrainian soldiers providing humanitarian aid to local residents. This operation has put Russia in a difficult position, as they must decide whether to divert troops from their current offensive in Ukraine's Donetsk region to defend Kursk.
US President Joe Biden has stated that these developments are creating a "real dilemma" for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He declined to comment further on the top-secret operation until it is over.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, this incursion is unlikely to change the dynamics of the war. They believe that Russian authorities will be reluctant to pull their military units engaged in combat from Donetsk, as this is currently their primary goal.
This operation has caused embarrassment for the Kremlin, as Russian civilians are being directly affected by the attack. A woman from Belgorod shared that the Ukrainian shelling has intensified in the past 10 days, causing a decrease in public support for the war.
President Zelenskyy has stated that this operation is also meant to lift the country's spirits after 900 days of war and show the strength of Ukraine's military capabilities. He urged the nation to stand united and act efficiently, just as they did in the early stages of the conflict.
In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said, "We have proven once again that we, Ukrainians, are capable of achieving our goals in any situation - capable of defending our interests and our independence." He also encouraged people to stay updated on the latest news, celebrity, and sports through their WhatsApp channel.
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