The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, made a declaration this past Monday asserting that Ukraine’s offensive on Kursk, a region in Russia, exemplifies how the Kremlin’s intimidation tactics of counterattacks were nothing but empty threats. He called upon Ukraine’s international allies to ease the restrictions on using arms supplied by foreign nations.
Zelenskiy reported that Ukrainian forces had established control over an expanse exceeding 1,250 square kilometres, which includes 92 localities within the Kursk region. Russia, on the other hand, claimed a third bridge in the region had been damaged by Ukraine, thereby disrupting Russian efforts to counter the attack.
The surprise attack on the Russian region was launched by Ukraine on August 6, marking the largest incursion into Russia since World War II. The assault is part of an operation that Ukraine states is focusing on creating a protected buffer region and weakening Russia’s military potency.
Zelenskiy spoke out in a meeting with Ukrainian diplomats, criticising international allies who have provided long-range weapons yet prohibited Ukraine from utilising them deep within Russian territory, wary of defying “red lines” established by Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskiy argued that the vague and false notion of such “red lines” relating to Russia, which have been dominant in some allies’ analysis of the war, has been shattered. He highlighted that due to the imposed restrictions, Ukraine is unable to use the weapons within its arsenal to strike specific Russian military objectives, and he encouraged allies to make more daring choices in their support for Ukraine’s war efforts.
This demonstration of bravery, according to Zelenskiy, is imperative. He emphasised that the war’s outcome depends not only on Ukrainian courage but also on the boldness of their allies in supporting Ukraine.
Though Ukraine has made significant headway into Russian territory, its forces have been placed on the defensive in other areas. The strategic city of Pokrovsk, located in eastern Ukraine, is currently at risk of a Russian invasion following weeks of intense fighting. This attack comes more than two years after Russia initiated a large-scale incursion.
Late on Monday, it was reported that Ukraine’s forces had engaged in 63 skirmishes in a single day against Russian troops along the Pokrovsk front, and anticipated that this would continue to be the epicentre of Russian assaults.
Finally, Russia has reported damage to a third bridge spanning the Seym river, which flows through the Kursk region bordering northeastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities have remained silent thus far about the reported bombing run, albeit the leader of Ukraine’s air force mentioned that his group has decimated two bridges in a bid to debilitate the logistics of the enemy. The aforementioned bridges, according to military experts, were fundamental to the supply streams of Russian troops securing the region. However, Reuters has not independently corroborated the extent of damage inflicted on the bridges or the unfolding warfare situation in Kursk.
On Sunday, Zelenskiy addressed the public stating that his soldiers were stepping up measures to enforce an impressive counterattack intended to establish a protective area and inhibit Moscow’s military prowess. The Russian emergency department confirmed the displacement of over 121,000 individuals from nine provinces located at the Kursk border.
Russian presidential advisor, Yuri Ushakov, expressed that Moscow was unwilling to negotiate peace with Ukraine presently, referencing the recent Kursk offensive. Ukraine is insistent on the total withdrawal of Russian soldiers from its land before any discourse can commence.
The fighting near Pokrovsk, a crucial point for Ukrainian forces, is proving to be onerous. The Russian army has positioned itself roughly 10km (approx. 6 miles) away from the city outskirts, as per Serhiy Dobriak, head of the local military administration. According to Dobriak’s report, approximately 600 citizens are departing daily and anticipates the suspension of municipal services within a week due to the encroaching Russian troops.
Residents around Pokrovsk will have to adapt to stricter curfew measures as the regional governor, Vadym Filashkin, describes the circumstances to be highly precarious. Additionally, Ukraine’s highest-ranking military figure assured that everything necessary was being done to secure the city of Toretsk as Moscow continues to expel threats to Ukraine’s supply streams.
Despite this, Russian forces have allegedly conquered the neighbouring town of Zalizne. The ongoing war, having already claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction, seems to be unceasing. Further, Ukraine anticipates an increase in Moscow’s troop deployment from 600,000 to potentially 800,000 by year’s end, as told by Ivan Havryliuk, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister, to local media outlets.
Despite arms aid from allies, Ukraine fears a reduction in support as the war continues. German defence shares plummeted on Monday following a news report that the finance ministry would reject future Ukrainian military aid requests due to financial limitations.
A representative from the German finance ministry confirmed that Berlin was ardently collaborating with its Group of Seven counterparts to devise a strategy. This plan aims to finance Ukraine’s military backing through the funds generated from seized Russian assets, reported Reuters.
This information is under copyright of Thomson Reuters 2024.