Saturday, August 17

Russia’s war against Ukraine

A damaged statue of the founder of the Soviet Union Vladimir Lenin in the Ukrainian-controlled Russian town of Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, amid Ukraine’s ongoing incursion. (Yan Dobronosov/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia claims Ukraine attempted ATACMS strike on Crimean Bridge. Russia downed 12 ATACMS launched overnight by Ukraine as part of an attack on the Crimean Bridge, Russian state-controlled news agency RIA Novosti reported on Aug. 16, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.

US reluctant to allow ATACMS in Kursk Oblast due to limited supply, CNN reports. The U.S. is reluctant to allow Ukraine to use its long-range weapons inside Kursk “not because of the risk of escalation, but because the US only has a limited supply,” CNN reported on Aug. 16, citing multiple unnamed U.S. officials.

Freedom of Russia Legion calls on Russian soldiers to surrender, switch sides amid Kursk incursion. The legion called upon Russian soldiers to “surrender to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as (their) comrades did.” Those who “want to continue fighting for the normal future of Russia” were invited to join the unit.

Ukraine ‘lost’ MiG-29 fighter jet as Russia claims attack on airbase. “Unfortunately, today we lost a MiG-29. Luckily, everyone is alive. War,” former Ukraine’s Air Force Spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said.

Myrnohrad residents evacuating as Russian forces reach 6 km from the town. “People are leaving, but not as quickly or urgently as we would like and as the situation requires,” administration head Yurii Tretiak said on air on RFE/RL, adding that 20,000 remain there, including around 1,000 children.

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UN representative in Ukraine reports torture of Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity. The head of mission for the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Danielle Bell, reported that Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories are systematically subjected to torture.

Ukraine’s Magura drones have reportedly struck 18 Russian ships throughout war. The Magura drone can cover a distance of more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and is capable of carrying a 250-kilogram warhead.

Ukrainian paratroopers show footage of Kursk incursion’s start. The video appears to show Ukrainian soldiers, tanks, and vehicles entering Kursk Oblast, destroying or capturing Russian forces, and removing a Russian flag while displaying the banner of Ukrainian airborne troops.

Kyiv dismisses Russian claims of planned ‘dirty bomb’ attacks on nuclear plants. “We officially refute these false reports. Ukraine has neither the intention nor the ability to carry out any such actions. Russia must stop spreading dangerous lies,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said.

Ukrainian Olympic fencer Olga Kharlan’s saber sold at auction to support military. The saber of Olga Kharlan, a Ukrainian fencer and Olympic gold medalist, sold for Hr 10 million (about $242,000) at an auction, the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation said on Aug. 15.

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Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces reportedly destroy bridge in Kursk Oblast, advance another 1-3 km

Ukrainian forces destroyed a bridge over the Seim River in the Glushkovsky district in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Alexey Smirnov, the region’s acting governor, claimed on Aug. 16. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky said Ukrainian troops have advanced 1 to 3 kilometers in some areas of the region.

Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images

10 days of Ukraine’s Kursk incursion – from first shot to dozens of settlements captured

As the incursion hit its 10-day mark on Aug. 15, we bring you a summary of what is known about the operation, from the moment the first Ukrainian troops crossed the border to Kyiv declaring a full capture of the town of Sudzha and creation of a military administration in Russia.

Photo: Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands flee as Russian troops take one Donetsk Oblast village after another

For the thousands of civilians living under the constant threat of Russian fire, life has become unsustainable, but leaving is not always an option. In Selydove, a transit point has been hastily put together by NGOs for people who have just evacuated for nearby settlements about to be occupied by the advancing Russian troops.

Photo: Emmanuelle Chaze/The Kyiv Independent

Human cost of war

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 7, injure 25 over past day. Ukrainian air defenses shot down three Shahed-type kamikaze drones and two reconnaissance drones overnight, the Air Force said. Russia also reportedly attacked Ukraine with three Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

General Staff: Russia has lost 596,950 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. This number includes 1,330 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

How drones are shaking up the air war in Ukraine

International response

Ottawa confirms Ukraine can use Canada-supplied arms on Russian territory. “Ukrainians know best how to defend their homeland, and we’re committed to supporting their capacity,” said Andrée-Anne Poulin, a spokesperson for the Canadian Defense Ministry, as reported by CBC News.

Ukraine can decide how to use Spanish-supplied equipment, Spanish defense minister says. Ukraine can determine how and when to use Spanish-supplied equipment, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said during her visit to the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps in Spain, EFE news agency reported on Aug. 16.

Nordic, Baltic countries express concern to EU over Hungary’s easing of entry rules for Russians. Hungary’s decision to ease entry rules for Russians “may constitute a serious security risk,” leaders of Nordic and Baltic countries said in a joint letter to European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on Aug. 16.

Kazakhstan ‘won’t blindly follow’ sanctions against Russia, deputy PM says. Kazakhstan will review its approach to enforcing sanctions against Russia, prioritizing its economic interests, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Serik Zhumangarin said in an interview with Bloomberg on Aug. 16.

US oil group expands in Russia as Western rivals leave, FT reports. SLB, the world’s largest oilfield services company, signed new government contracts and posted over 1,000 job postings in Russia within the last year.

Russia summons Italian ambassador over journalists working in Kursk Oblast. Russia’s Foreign Ministry claimed that the journalists crossed the border into Kursk Oblast illegally while reporting on Ukraine’s ongoing offensive in the region.

In other news

Russian dissident Kara-Murza returns to US, visits White House. Russian opposition figure and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza visited the White House upon his return to the U.S. after being freed from Russian prison, U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Aug. 15.

Ukraine’s legalization of medical cannabis enters into force. The legalization of medical cannabis entered into force in Ukraine on Aug. 16, allowing veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and people with serious illnesses such as cancer to access the drug.

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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Martin Fornusek, Elsa Court, Daria Svitlyk, Kateryna Denisova, Teah Pelechaty, and Abbey Fenbert.

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