A second border region in Russia has declared a state of emergency after Ukraine began bombarding it early on Wednesday. Ukrainian military vehicles advanced towards the Russian-Ukrainian border in the Sumy region on Aug 13. The situation in the Belgorod region remains extremely difficult and tense due to shelling from the Ukrainian armed forces, leading to destroyed houses, civilian casualties, and injuries, according to Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the region.
The unexpected incursion by Ukrainian troops into Russia’s Kursk region on Aug 6 caught Moscow off-guard, slicing through its defenses and prompting a state of emergency declaration in the neighboring Belgorod region. Despite Vladimir Putin’s vow to “drive out the enemy,” intense battles have failed to expel the Ukrainian forces, with over 74 settlements reportedly under Kyiv’s control and the evacuation of 200,000 individuals.
The incursion has presented a significant challenge for Vladimir Putin, as noted by Joe Biden, the US president, in his first comments on Kyiv’s operations on Russian soil. The ongoing conflict has led to the disruption of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, with Kyiv’s actions being described as defensive by Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister.
The situation in Sudzha, a Russian town now under Ukrainian control, highlights the humanitarian impact of the conflict, as residents were left starving in their basements until Ukrainian troops arrived with aid. The town, situated in the Kursk border region, has faced relentless bombardment, leaving many residents trapped and in need of assistance.
Amidst the ongoing hostilities, Ukraine launched a major drone and missile attack on three Russian airfields, causing significant damage and destruction. The attacks targeted airfields deep within Russia, including the Savasleyka airfield in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, the Borisoglebsk and Baltimore airbases in the Voronezh Oblast, resulting in the destruction of drones and missiles by Russian defense units.
In response to Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region, Russia has withdrawn some of its military forces in Ukraine to counter the invasion, marking a significant development in the conflict. The redeployment of troops reflects the escalating tensions and the dynamic nature of the situation on the ground.
As Ukraine continues its assault on the Russian border region of Kursk with missiles and drones, the conflict shows no signs of abating. The ongoing attacks have led to further territorial gains for Kyiv, with intense fighting and air raid alerts affecting the entire region. The situation remains fluid, with conflicting reports from both sides regarding the progress of the conflict.
The impact of Ukraine’s incursion into Russia extends beyond the military realm, with Germany reportedly issuing an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian diver allegedly involved in sabotaging the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The diver, believed to have planted explosive devices on the pipelines under the Baltic Sea, is now the subject of an international manhunt.
In conclusion, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, with significant developments on the ground and diplomatic repercussions. The ongoing hostilities have led to a state of emergency in Russian border regions, humanitarian crises in towns under attack, and international tensions as the conflict unfolds. The situation remains fluid, with both sides engaged in fierce fighting and strategic maneuvers as the conflict enters a new phase of uncertainty and volatility.
