Photo : Kyiv Independent
Photo : Kyiv Independent
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 22 August, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President visited the northeastern Ukrainian region of Sumy. It was his first visit to the border area since the Ukrainian Kursk incursion in early August. Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian forces had captured another settlement and detained more Russian soldiers, with whom he hoped to carry out the “exchange fund.” After he met with the local authorities, he added that there was a decrease in Russian shelling and civilian casualties in the Sumy region after the Kursk operation. He added: “Another settlement in the Kursk region is now under Ukrainian control, and we have replenished the exchange fund.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 23 August, Russian authorities reported on a Ukrainian drone strike. The attack caused a fire at a military site, near the village of Marinovka, 300 kilometres east of the border with Ukraine and the Russian air force base. According to Andrei Bocharov, the Volgograd Regional Governor, the drones were intercepted by the Russian forces. He also reported on the rescue operations led by fire and security services. There were no casualties reported. The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation said that their forces had repelled over 13 out of 28 drones over the Volgograd region.
On 22 August, Aleksandr Bogomaz, Governor of the Bryansk region reported that Russian forces had intercepted a cross-border attack by Ukrainian troops in the region. He said that the situation was “stable and under control.” The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation did not immediately comment on the matter.
On 22 August, during a cabinet meeting, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President condemned Ukraine's strike on the Kursk’s Nuclear Power Plant. He said: “The International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] has been informed. They promised to come themselves and send specialists to assess the situation. I hope they actually do so.” Rafael Grossi, IAEA director is set to visit the power plant next week. He was also planning to visit Zelenskyy after the visit. Grossi added that the IAEA was very concerned about the nuclear power plants due to their lack of protection. He also noted the increasing combat operations and military activities around them.
On 22 August, Russia announced the filing of a criminal case against US journalist Nick Paton Walsh and two Ukrainian correspondents, Olesya Borovik and Diana Butsko on charges of “illegally crossing” the border, near the town of Sudzha. The statement of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) read: “They will be put on the international wanted list in the near future.” It added that they could be sentenced to five years imprisonment if convicted.
On 22 August, local Russian authorities announced the installation of 60 main public transport stations with reinforced concrete shelters in the Kursk region. Aleksey Smirnov, Kursk’s acting governor said: “Today we began to install reinforced concrete shelters in Kursk. On my instructions, the Kursk city administration identified key points for placing concrete modular shelters in crowded places.” They will be installed in Zheleznogorsk and Kurchatov in the Kursk region.
References
“Ukraine pushes for long-range strikes as troops advance in Russia,” The Hill, 21 August 2024
“Ukraine targets Moscow with "one of the largest" drone attacks,” AXIOS, 21 August 2024
“Ukraine Targets Russian S-300 Air Defense Missile System in Russia’s Rostov Region,” Kyiv Post, 21 August 2024
“Medvedev rules out peace talks with Kiev until enemy completely defeated,” TASS, 21 August 2024
“Delighted by Modi’s visit to Kyiv, says senior U.S. official in charge of Ukraine’s recovery, The Hindu¸ 21 August 2024
“Ukraine's parliament approves Rome Statute to become party to ICC,” Daily Sabah, 21 August 2024
“Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger accuse Ukraine of supporting terrorism in Sahel,” Anadolu Agency, 21 August 2024
“German chancellor visits Moldova amid EU and security talks,” Moldova Political, 21 August 2024
“Switzerland to join European Cyber Security Organization,” Anadolu Agency, 21 August 2024