Photo : Sputnik / Mikhail Klimentyev
Photo : Sputnik / Mikhail Klimentyev
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 12 August, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s top military commander said that his troops controlled 1,000 square kilometres of the Kursk region. He said: “The troops are fulfilling their tasks.” Fighting continues actually along the entire front line. It was the first public comment made by a Ukrainian military official since the surprise attack. During his briefing about the front-line situation, he also confirmed that the situation was under their control.
On 12 August, the BBC reported on the fire breakout at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant controlled by Moscow for more than two years. Yevgeny Balitsky, the Kremlin-installed governor of Zaporizhzhia blamed the Ukrainian shelling for the blaze. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy believed the fire was a deliberate attempt. However, no radiation spike was reported according to the statements of Zelenskyy and Balitsky. Another report from Vladimir Rogov, a Kremlin-installed official said: “The fire had been completely extinguished.”
On 12 August, The Guardian reported on the involvement of more than 1000 Ukrainian troops in the Kursk incursion. According to a Ukrainian security official, the troops aimed to “…destabilise Russia and drive out Russian forces with light, fast-moving attacks.”
On 12 August, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the arrest of Oleksandr Kheil, Ukraine’s deputy energy minister over charges of bribery. He was dismissed from the Cabinet of Ministers as part of a government-led probe into corruption since the war. According to the official statements from the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine: “Cleansing the energy industry of any forms of corruption is one of the priorities of our work.” The SBU accused him of the extortion of half a million dollars in exchange for handing over mining equipment owned by a state-owned coal company and allowing its relocation to the mines in the west Ukraine
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 12 August, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President condemned the Kursk incursion during a meeting with senior officials. He rejected the possibility of peace talks till Ukraine stopped its strikes on the civilian population and nuclear power plants. Putin believed that Kyiv aimed to distract Russian forces from the Donbass region where they are making significant advances. He further stated that Ukraine would receive a “worthy response” as the main goal of Russia was to push back the Ukrainian forces.
On 12 August, Russian officials reported that the Ukrainian forces had captured around 28 settlements in Russia’s Kursk region after advancing up to 30 kilometres on the seventh day of the incursion. More than 12,000 people had been rescued from the main city of Kursk. There are thousands of ethnic Armenians residing in the place. According to the statements of Derenik Koshtoyan, the head of a local Armenian community association, they were considering fleeing from the place altogether.
On 12 August, Anadolu Agency reported on the evacuations implemented in Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions. According to Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Belgorod region: “In order to protect the life and health of our population, we are starting to move people who live in Krasnoyaruzhsky district to safer places.” He affirmed that the Russian troops would “cope with the threat.” Meanwhile, Alexey Smirnov, Governor of the Kursk region said that the operational headquarters in charge of the evacuation of residents.
THE WEST VIEW
On 12 August, ISW reported that Iran would deliver hundreds of anti-ballistic missiles to Russia as per an agreement signed between them in December 2023. The agreement promised the delivery of Ababil close-range ballistic missiles and Fateh-360 short-range ballistic missiles to support Russia in its war with Ukraine. These missiles have 120 kilometres range and can carry around 150 kilograms of payload. According to European intelligence sources, thousands of Russian military personnel were in training in Iran on how to operate these Fateh-360 missiles.
On 12 August, Defence and Security Monitor reported on the supply of 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and armoured recovery vehicle to the Czech Republic as part of the German initiated Ukraine recovery plan. It will be carried out through Rheinmetall, an international arms supplier company based in Germany. The Czech Republic will supply military equipment to Ukraine in exchange for these vehicles. The deliveries will continue till 2026. The recovery plan also known as the “ring swap” program aims to exchange Soviet-era equipment in exchange for modern Western systems in Ukraine.
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