Photo : Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
Photo : Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
By Neha Tresa George and Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 20 August, The Associated Press reported on the evacuation of civilians along with children from Pokrovsk city. This follows Russian forces advance into the city. Close to 53,000 are predicted to be remain in Pokrovsk and many are expected to exit the city. Pokrovsk is a Ukrainian stronghold and an important city for logistics in the Donetsk region. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine said that the Ukrainian army was attaining “set goals” in the Kursk region. He added that Ukraine had achieved control of the so-called “red lines” indicating their control over the Russian town.
On 20 August, Ukraine’s parliament passed a bill banning activities of religious organisations like the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that has connections with Russia. The bill now awaited the approval of Zelenskyy. Roman Lozynskyi, an independent Ukrainian MP said: “Today we have embarked on the inevitable path of cleansing from the inside of the Kremlin’s agent network, which for decades hid behind the mask of a religious organisation.” Although the Church claimed to have severed its ties with Russia back in 2022, its priests and financial backers were caught helping the Russian army in Ukraine. It also asked Ukraine to stop “persecuting” Christians thus condemning the ban.
On the same day, on the Kursk incursion, Zelenskyy claimed on capturing 92 settlements and advancing 1,250 square kilometres till now inside Kursk. He said: “The Russian border area opposite our Sumy region has been mostly cleared of Russian military presence.”
On 20 August, ABC News reported that Ukrainian forces had destroyed all three bridges over the Seym River in western Russia, citing Russian sources. It could trap Russian forces between the river and the Ukrainian border. An unnamed representative for Russia’s Investigative Committee said: “As a result of targeted shelling with the use of rocket and artillery weapons against residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in the Karyzh village ... a third bridge over the Seym River was damaged.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 20 August, Russian troops claimed to capture Novgorodskoye town in the Donetsk. Russian Defence Ministry reported on the destruction of Ukrainian forces responsible for a key logistics hub. According to the report, 585 servicemen, three tanks, two vehicles, M777 howitzers and guns were destroyed. The capturing also means an advantage to the ongoing offensive towards Toretsk which holds a cluster of industrial towns.
On 20 August, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Stephanie Holmes, US charge d’affaires against the involvement of a private military company (PMC) claimed to be from the US. According to Russia, the Forward Observation Group known as PMC was found to be taking part in an attack from Kyiv on the Russian border. The ministry said: “…clearly demonstrate the United States’ role as a direct participant in the conflict and its complicity in Vladimir Zelensky’s malicious plans.” Holmes warned over the engagement of specialists in the Russian border as illegal and considered as targets for Russian forces.
References
Alex Babenko, “Civilians flee Pokrovsk as Russia’s army bears down on the key eastern Ukraine city,” The Associated Press, 20 August 2024
“Russian MFA protests to US diplomat over illegal visit of US reporters to Kursk Region.” TASS, 20 August 2024
“Ukraine’s parliament moves forward on ‘cleansing’ Moscow-linked church,” Politico, 20 August 2024
“Massive fire rages for third day at a Russian oil depot hit in Ukrainian drone attack,” Abc News, 20 August 2024
“Russian MOD confirms capture of New York in Donbass,” RT, 20 August 2024
“Russia takes action over ‘direct’ US role in Kursk incursion,” RT, 20 August 2024