Photo : Reuters
Photo : Reuters
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 16 August, Ukrinform reported on the overnight drone attack launched by Russian forces in Kyiv. According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, air defences were activated after the UAVs were launched from the Kursk region. There were no reports of any damage or casualties.
On 16 August, The Moscow Times reported on the Ukrainian drone attack in the Belgorod region in Shebekinio town, Russia. The attack led to the injury of four people. An apartment also caught fire following the attack. According to Russia’s military forces, one of the Ukrainian drones launched was intercepted.
On 15 August, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine submitted a draft bill that laid down bonuses and preferences entitled to servicemen and military participating in the combat missions on the Russian territory. The memo to the bill read as the “Law on social and legal protection of servicemen and their families.” It noted that the implementation of the law would not have any additional expenditure. It included servicemen working outside Ukraine, mostly in Russia.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 16 August, RT reported that Nikolay Patrushev, Former Russian Security Council Secretary had condemned the US for its alleged role in the Kursk attack. He said: “The US leadership’s claims of non-involvement in Kyiv’s actions in the Kursk Region do not correspond to reality.” He added that Kyiv could not execute such an operation without the direct involvement and support of the US.
On 16 August, The Moscow Times reported that Russia and Ukraine were negotiating on the exchange of prisoners who were captured during the Kursk attack. According to Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman), he had a “proactive conversation” on the issue with Tatiana Moskalkova, Russian spokesperson. He said that Kyiv was ready for an exchange based on the “Geneva Convention at any time” but condemned Moscow for delaying it, which Moskalkova denied.
THE WEST VIEW
On 16 August, John Kirby, White House National Security Advisor affirmed that Russia had redeployed some troops and resources to the Kursk region. He said: “It is not clear exactly how many forces the Russians are going to put there, what their intentions are, what they are going to do, or what the Ukrainians are doing.” He added on the new military packages that were set to be announced later. He promised Ukraine to provide them with weapons and capabilities to defend.
On 16 August, Ukrinform reported that the US delayed the approval for the use of ATACMS missiles inside Russia’s Kursk region. According to US officials, as cited by CNN, the missiles could only be used in the Russian-occupied Crimea. They added the reason to be the limited supply of long-range missiles and not the risk of escalation.
References
“No damage and casualties in Kyiv after overnight drone attack,” Ukrinform, 16 August 2024
“Ukrainian Drone Strike on Russia’s Belgorod Region Injures 4,” The Moscow Times, 16 August 2024
“Ukrainian HIMARS destroyed in Iskander strike – MOD,” RT, 15 August 2024
“US lying about involvement in Kursk attack – Putin aide,” RT, 16 August 2024
“Ukraine Says in Talks With Russia to Exchange Kursk Prisoners,” The Moscow Times, 16 August 2024
“White House confirms Russia redeployed part of its troops to Kursk region,” Ukrinform, 16 August 2024
“U.S. reluctant to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS inside Kursk region – CNN,” Ukrinform, 16 August 2024
“Zelensky tables in Rada bill on status of military personnel fighting on Russian soil,” Ukrinform, 15 August 2024