Photo : AP
Photo : AP
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 16 August, Ukraine’s military claimed to advance between one and three kilometres in Kursk. General Oleksandr Syrskyi said: “The troops of the offensive group continue to fight and have advanced in some areas from one to three kilometres towards the enemy. According to the report, Ukraine has control over 82 settlements and Syrskyi expressed hope to deport more prisoners from the ongoing fighting in the Ukrainian border. He also reported intense fighting in the eastern front line in Toretsk and Pokrovsk.
On 16 August, in an interview with Deutsche Welle, Yevheniia Kravchuk, Ukraine’s spokesperson from the President's office commented on its incursion into Kursk. He said how the fighting could help strengthen Ukraine’s position. The incursion began on 06 August, and Ukrainian forces claim to have advanced. She stressed that the incursion into Kursk was not to capture the territory but to ensure no Russian attacks were launched into Ukraine from Kursk. She added: “So basically the operation of our army made possible [keeping] our territory intact, so this is part of self-defense.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
On 16 August, the TASS reported on a strike at a supermarket in Donetsk, an area controlled by Russia. According to the report two were reported dead and Russian authorities criticised the Ukrainian army for the attack. Denis Pushilin, Russia-appointed spokesperson said that close to 10,000 square meters were in flames along with damage to nearby hospitals.
On 16 August, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported on countering an attack by Ukraine targeting the Crimea bridge. In a statement: “Air defenses were used last night to deflect a group strike by 12 ATACMS missiles made in the US on the Crimean bridge.” The bridge opened in 2018 connects Kerch and Krasnodar between Crimea and Russia.
On 16 August, the Russian government declared an association of Russian politicians as “undesirable.” The group was accused of being part of events on “anti-Russian orientation” in Germany. In a statement: “They spread misleading information about the activities of Russian state agencies and support extremist organizations.” According to the report, the participants of the organisation consider the Putin regime and the war in Ukraine as criminal and delineating from the democratic path.
THE WEST VIEW
On 16 August, Ivan Anusic, Croatia’s Defence Minister announced the decision to bring back military conscription due to regional tensions. This move comes as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues and triggered public protests. According to Anusic, the salaries of the soldiers and non-commissioned officers have been increased. He said: “The modernization and equipment of the Armed Forces is proceeding as planned and in accordance with the agreement with our allies and the NATO leadership.” The conscription was ended in 2008 but has been reintroduced following a similar trend in Latvia in 2023.
References
“Russia claims at least 2 civilians killed, 11 injured in Ukraine's missile strike on shopping mall in Donetsk,” Anadolu Agency, 16 August 2024
“Russia Says Repelled 12 Missiles Targeting Crimea Bridge,” The Moscow Times, 16 August 2024
“Croatia Brings Back Conscription Amid Rising Global Tensions,” Novinite, 16 August 2024
“Ukraine updates: Kursk incursion aimed to start talks — Kyiv,” Deutsche Welle, 16 August 2024