Photo : Reuters
Photo : Reuters
By Samruddhi Pathak
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 18 August, Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv Military Administration reported on Russia’s third ballistic missile attack on Kyiv. He said that the missiles used were KN-23, a North Korean-made ballistic missile. Ukraine’s Air Force later released a report claiming that two ballistic missiles, five cruise missiles and eight kamikaze drones were used in the attack and all of them were intercepted by Ukraine. Ukraine’s State Emergency Services reported damaged residential buildings but no casualties. The Kyiv Independent reported the rising role of North Korea as a vital arms supplier to Russia. However, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office has claimed that around half of the missiles fired at Ukraine had malfunctioned, questioning the quality of North Korean weapons.
On 19 August, The Associated Press reported that several Ukrainian citizens were leaving the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine; around 53,000 people still reside in the city. The Russian army was observed to be advancing rapidly towards the city. Pokrovsk is a Ukrainian stronghold and an important city functioning as a logistics hub in the Donetsk region.
On 19 August, Ukrainian forces claimed destroying the second strategic bridge in Russia’s Kursk region. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, said that the purpose of the attack was to create a “buffer zone” to stop Russian invasion. This is Ukraine’s biggest attack on Russia since the War began in 2022. Lt Gen Mykola Oleschuk, Ukraine’s Air Force, posted on social media, “Minus one more bridge.” Ukrainian Intelligence has identified three significant bridges in the Kursk region that are essential for logistical support to Russia. Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to President Zelensky, said that Ukraine aims to initiate negotiations and not occupy Russian territory. In response, Russia warned over “major provocation” and retaliation.
On 19 August, the UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that 2023 recorded the highest number of humanitarian workers’ deaths. 280 aid workers died in 2023, which is “outrageously high” as per the OCHA. out of the total 280, 163 were recorded in the Gaza strip. Ukraine recorded the sixth-highest number of deaths with six deaths due to the Russian invasion. This is an increase of 137 per cent compared to 2022.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 19 August, The Moscow Times reported on Vasily Golubev, Governor of Russia’s Rostov region statement on the injury of more than 40 firefighters while battling a major blaze at an oil storage facility in Rostov. Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the report, the attack was aimed at the Kavkaz oil and petroleum storage facility. Proletarsk town in Rostov Oblast is approximately 250 kilometres from Ukraine. According to Novaya Gazeta Europe, at least 18 people have been injured due to the fires. Rostov has been a target for Ukraine’s drone attacks due to its proximity to the border.
THE WEST VIEW
On 19 August, the BBC reported on the UK's unwavering support to Ukraine during the war. The statement from Keir Starmer’s, Prime Minister of the UK, came as Ukraine gained advantage over Russia in the Kursk region. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, had urged the UK government to supply long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine for the War. Zelensky also said: “Long-range capabilities are the answer to the most critical strategic questions of this war.” The BBC reported that the UK is among the highest donors to Ukraine. The UK has pledged EUR 7.6 billion as military assistance to Ukraine. However, the UK has made it clear that the British weapons will only be used for self-defence and not for operations in Russian territory.
On 19 August, Chatham House published a detailed analysis of Ukraine’s advancement in the Kursk region. The raid has acted as a morale booster for Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. The analysis suggests signs of pessimism in the Russian media. The Ukrainian attack has inflicted significant damage on Russia. Russia is also pulling troops from the Kursk region. Ukraine’s decision to go ahead with the offensive in the Kursk region was prompted by the West’s hesitation to support Ukraine given their position in the War. The offence has allowed the West to renew calls to supply Ukraine with arms it has demanded.
On 19 August, Euronews reported on the construction of a new military base started in the Lithuanian Rūdninkai training ground, near the Belarus border. The training ground will house 5,000 German soldiers. Lithuania estimates that almost half of them will come with their families. The military base will be constructed with an investment fund of EUR 800 million.
References
Abbey Fenbert and Chris York, “Kyiv repels Russian aerial attack, North Korean ballistic weapons used in strike, city authorities say,” The Kyiv Independent, 19 August 2024
Alex Babenko, “Civilians flee Pokrovsk as Russia’s army bears down on the key eastern Ukraine city,” The Associated Press, 19 August 2024
André Rhoden-Paul and James Gregory, “Ukraine says it has destroyed second Russian bridge,” BBC, 19 August 2024
Kate Whannel, “UK insists support for Ukraine is 'unwavering',” BBC, 19 August 2024
Olga Tokariuk, “Ukraine’s gamble in Kursk restores belief it can beat Russia – it requires a Western response,” Chatham House, 19 August 2024
“Aid workers suffered deadliest year in 2023, says UN,” Deutsche Welle, 19 August 2024
“At least 5,000 German soldiers to be based near Lithuania's border with Belarus,” Euronews, 19 August 2024
“Dozens of Russian Firefighters Injured Battling Blaze After Drone Attack on Oil Facility,” Moscow Times, 19 August 2024
“Fire continues at oil depot in Russia’s Rostov region following drone strike,” Novaya Gazeta Europe, 19 August 2024