Photo : ISW
Photo : ISW
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 11 August, RTE reported that the Ukrainian army advanced 30 kilometres into the Russian territory following the Kursk incursion. Russia’s military confirmed that it had attacked the troops and equipment around 30 kilometres from the border near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez. In a statement, the Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation: “Russian troops foiled attempts by enemy mobile groups with armoured vehicles to break through deep into Russian territory.” A senior Ukrainian official said that thousands of Ukrainian troops had been deployed for the operation.
On 11 August, Zelenskyy addressed the public through a video, sharing updates of the war. He highlighted the Russian drone attacks carried out against Ukraine and urged its partners to lift the restrictions on long-range missiles. He stated: “Our priority remains the maximum strengthening of Ukraine's air shield. Our air defence, our combat aviation.”
On 11 August, CBS NEWS reported that Zelenskyy had confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian military forces were carrying out a “surprise military incursion into Russia's Kursk border region.” He said that he had discussed the incursion with Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s top commander, to push the war into Russian territory. He stated: “Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor.” The main aim of the operation is still unknown as the Ukrainian military officials are maintaining a policy of secrecy.
On 10 August, Ukrinform reported on the IAEA’s warning to Ukraine and Russia to avoid a nuclear accident in the context of the NPP based in the Kursk region of Kurchatov, Russia. Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief reminded them about the seven pillars of maintaining nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict. He stated: “I would like to appeal to all sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a nuclear accident with the potential for serious radiological consequences.” His comments came after the Russian embassy in Vienna pointed out the remains fallen from missiles, found near the plant premises.
On 11 August, Anadolu Agency reported on the discussion between Rosatom, Russia's state-owned nuclear energy company and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog. Alexey Likhachev, the head of Rosatom informed Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief about the “direct threat” posed by the Ukrainian armed forces to a nearby nuclear power plant near the Kursk region. In the call between both chiefs, Likhachev discussed Ukraine’s attempt to capture the power plant. According to Rosatom: “At the moment, there is a real danger of strikes and provocations by the armed forces of Ukraine at the nuclear power plant.” It added that the falling debris from destroyed missiles could affect the normal operation of the plant and compromise nuclear safety and security.
On 10 August, Dmytro Pletenchuk, the Ukrainian Navy spokesperson reported on the attack and destruction of a former offshore gas platform used by the Russian forces in the Black Sea. He added that the Russian occupation in this platform posed a threat to civilian navigation as they used the location for GPS spoofing. According to his statements, there were no civilians and the platform was not functioning normally. Moscow has not commented on this incident yet.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 11 August, Alexey Smirnov, acting governor of the Kursk oblast in Russia ordered an acceleration of the evacuation of residents of the Belovsky district. He stated: “I have instructed the head of the Belovsky district to accelerate the implementation of the decision of the operational headquarters on evacuation.” According to Nikolay Volobuyev, the Head of the Belovsky district, people were fleeing on their own in unorganised buses and settling in temporary shelters and safe places around the Kursk region.
On 11 August, the TASS reported on the redeployment of Russian aerial surveillance and attack drone units from the Zaporizhzhia Region to the Kursk Region to intercept a Ukrainian attack. According to Yevgeny Balitsky: “The technical capabilities of our units allow us to provide substantial support to the region, which came under terrorist attacks by the enemy.”
On 11 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation responded to the Kursk incursion by the Ukrainian forces. According to Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokesperson: “A tough response from the Russian Armed Forces will not be long in coming.” She added that the Ukrainian military struck the Belgorod and Voronezh regions in a drone attack. Meanwhile, the Russian Defence Ministry stated that the forces had destroyed over 35 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.
On 10 August, the TASS reported on the evacuation of over 76,000 Russians from the border areas of the Kursk region. Artyom Sharov, spokesman for the Russian Emergencies Ministry’s interdepartmental operational headquarters said: “Resettling residents to safer places has been a priority of its work. A total of over 76,000 people have been temporarily resettled since this work began.” He added that the interdepartmental operational headquarters worked to assist the population in the Kursk region. According to him, over 4,400 residents were accommodated in 60 temporary settlements in eight Russian regions.
THE WEST VIEW
On 10 August, Reuters reported on the reinforcement of the border by Belarus after it found Ukraine violating its airspace on the Kursk incursion. Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus stated that several Ukrainian drones which violated their airspace were violated. He added that others were destroyed by Russian forces in the city of Yaroslavl. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry called for “comprehensive measures” from the Ukrainian side and warned that these incidents could affect Ukraine’s diplomatic presence in Minsk. There have been no comments from Ukraine.
On 10 August, TRT WORLD reported on the “counter-terror” operation carried out by Russian forces to halt Ukraine’s advances into the Kursk region. Russia was equipped with extra troops, convoys of tanks, rocket launchers and aviation units. According to Russia’s national anti-terrorism committee, the operation was beginning in Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions. During these operations, security forces and the military were given unlimited powers. In addition to that, movements are constrained, vehicles can be captured, calls can be monitored and areas can be declared as no-go zones. The anti-terrorism committee referred to the Kursk incursion as a “terrorist attack” and “an attempt to destabilise Russia.”
References
“Evacuation of residents of Kursk’s Belovsky district will be accelerated — Acting Governor,” the TASS, 11 August 2024
“Russia redeploys recon, attack drone units to Kursk Region — governor,” the TASS, 12 August 2024
“Ukraine says it hit an offshore gas platform used by Russian forces,” swissinfo.ch, 10 August 2024
“Russian army hit Ukrainian troops 30km into its territory,” RTE, 11 August 2024
“Moscow vows ‘tough response’ to Ukraine’s push into Russian territory,” POLITICO, 11 August 2024
“Russia evacuates over 76,000 people from border areas in Kursk Region,” the TASS, 10 August 2024
“Russia begins 'counter-terror' operation after Ukraine advances into Kursk,” TRT WORLD, 10 August 2024
“Ukrainian forces in Kursk pose 'direct threat' to nearby power plant, Rosatom tells energy agency,” Anadolu Ajansi, 11 August 2024
“Belarus boosts troops at border, summons diplomat after accusing Ukraine of airspace violation,” Reuters, 11 August 2024
“IAEA calls for restraint around Kursk NPP amid hostilities in region,” Ukrinform, 10 August 2024
“Just as Air Defense Protects Lives, Lifting Restrictions on Long-Range Strikes Will Save Thousands of Human Lives – Address by the President,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 11 August 2024
“Ukraine president acknowledges military incursion into Russia as fighting continues,” CBS NEWS, 11 August 2024