Ukrainian forces have made significant gains in Russia’s Kursk region, destroying or damaging all three bridges over the Seim River, a crucial waterway that supplies Russian troops and infrastructure. Russia’s military has confirmed that Ukraine’s attacks have slowed down their response to the incursion, which Ukraine launched on August 6. The Ukrainian army’s incursion has captured 488 square miles and 93 settlements, with the goal of creating a buffer zone to prevent future attacks on Ukraine and capturing a large number of Russian prisoners of war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the success of the operation, saying that it had achieved “set goals” and was helping to dispel Western fears of offering more robust military aid to Kyiv. Zelensky believes that Ukraine’s actions will help to persuade Western allies to provide more support, as Ukraine’s military advances have exposed Russian vulnerabilities. The Ukrainian president also said that the operation aims to create a buffer zone that can prevent future attacks on Ukraine and capture a large number of Russian prisoners of war that can be exchanged for captured Ukrainians.
Russia’s response to the incursion has been fierce, with Putin accusing Ukraine of “trying to destabilise our country” and comparing them to terrorists. However, Ukraine’s advances have also caused significant damage to Russian infrastructure, including a massive fire that burned for the third consecutive day after an oil depot was hit by Ukrainian drones. The fire at the depot in the town of Proletarsk burned across an area of a hectare, with 500 firefighters involved in the operation and 41 of them hospitalised with injuries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Image via Getty)
The conflict in the Kursk region has also raised concerns about the vulnerability of Russia’s supply lines and infrastructure. Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted Russian infrastructure, including the oil depot, which was used to supply the needs of Russia’s army. Russia’s military has tried to repair the damage, but Ukraine’s attacks have slowed down their response. Ukraine’s actions have also exposed Russian vulnerabilities, including the use of pontoon bridges to supply forces around the Ukrainian advance.
In eastern Ukraine, Russia is continuing to bear down on the city of Pokrovsk, one of Ukraine’s main defensive strongholds and a key logistics hub in the Donetsk region. The city’s capture would compromise Ukraine’s defensive abilities and supply routes and would bring Russia closer to its stated aim of capturing the entire Donetsk region. Russia has been trying to capture Pokrovsk for months, but Ukraine’s forces have been determined to hold on to the city. The conflict has cost both sides heavily in troops and armour, with no end in sight.
