Ukraine has claimed another significant blow to Russian supply lines by targeting a second critical bridge in Russia’s Kursk region. The ongoing operation, which marks an unprecedented Ukrainian incursion on Russian territory, has now entered its second week. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk announced the strike on Telegram, sharing aerial footage that showed a bridge near the Russian town of Zvannoye being destroyed by an airstrike. Oleshchuk emphasized that the Ukrainian air force continues to hamper Russian logistical capabilities through precise attacks. Just days earlier, Ukraine had reported the destruction of another bridge in the nearby town of Glushkovo.
Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region has entered its 13 day and in the latest Ukraine has destroyed another strategic bridge on the Seym River.
What are Ukraine’s bigger ambitions in its ongoing counteroffensive against Russia?@SehgalRahesha speaks to Glen Grant, Lt… pic.twitter.com/GpK612ucEn— WION (@WIONews) August 19, 2024
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, for the first time, explicitly outlined the goal of Ukraine’s military actions in the Kursk region. Speaking in his nightly address, Zelenskiy stated that the operation aims to establish a buffer zone to prevent further Russian assaults across the border. This statement clarifies the broader objective of the incursion, which began on August 6. Previously, Zelenskiy had indicated that the operation was primarily meant to shield communities in Ukraine’s Sumy region from relentless Russian shelling. He further stressed that the primary goal of Ukraine’s defensive operations is to diminish Russia’s military potential while conducting maximum counteroffensive measures, including the creation of this buffer zone on Russian territory.
The cross-border operation in Kursk has reportedly led to the capture of over 150 Russian prisoners of war on some days, according to Oleksii Drozdenko, head of the military administration in Sumy, Ukraine. Drozdenko noted that many of these captured soldiers are young conscripts who seem reluctant to engage in combat against Ukrainian forces. “They do not want to fight us,” Drozdenko added, highlighting the demoralization among some Russian troops stationed at the border.
JUST NOW: Another bridge was destroyed in the Kursk region
A large Russian force in the border areas is now virtually cut off from supplies. pic.twitter.com/gSxUP4Jr3B
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 18, 2024
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has reported significant progress by Ukrainian forces during this operation, claiming that Ukraine’s incursion has advanced through approximately 800 square kilometers in just six days. The ISW noted that the initial attacks targeted Russian defensive positions along the border that were largely unprepared, poorly equipped, and sparsely manned. Despite Russia deploying reinforcements to the area, Ukraine has continued to make rapid gains in Kursk.
Meanwhile, Russian forces reportedly captured the village of Svyrydonivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, according to Russian state news agency TASS. However, independent verification of this battlefield report remains unavailable.
In a separate development, Russia dismissed claims that Ukraine’s operation in Kursk had derailed indirect talks with Kyiv regarding a potential agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Reports had surfaced suggesting that both countries were preparing to send delegations to Qatar to negotiate this agreement, which would have amounted to a partial ceasefire. However, Russia asserted that no such talks were taking place.
Russian channels report that Ukrainian forces destroyed the third and final pre-war bridge over the Seym River at Karyzh, Kursk Oblast.
Russian forces south of the river now only have one pontoon bridge left. pic.twitter.com/e8AdCLPm54
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 19, 2024
On the diplomatic front, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, for a two-day state visit, according to Russian news agencies. The timing of this visit, which coincides with Ukraine’s aggressive military actions on Russian soil, comes as Azerbaijan, a close partner of Moscow and a significant energy supplier to the West, hosts the Russian leader.
Major Points:
- Ukrainian forces destroyed two critical bridges in Russia’s Kursk region, aiming to disrupt Moscow’s supply routes and weaken logistical capabilities.
- President Zelenskiy clarified that the operation aims to create a buffer zone on Russian territory to prevent further cross-border attacks.
- Ukraine reportedly captured over 150 Russian soldiers in a single day, with many of the captured troops being young conscripts.
- The Institute for the Study of War reported that Ukrainian forces advanced approximately 800 square kilometers in Kursk within six days, targeting unprepared Russian defenses.
- Russia denied that Ukraine’s actions in Kursk had disrupted potential talks on a partial ceasefire regarding energy infrastructure, while President Putin arrived in Azerbaijan for a state visit.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
