Summary of the day: Ukrainian forces have reportedly made slight advances in Kursk Oblast, amidst a broader slowing of Ukrainian military activities, according to Russian military bloggers. These operations are said to be impacting Russia’s defensive and logistical capabilities significantly, as stated by Ukrainian officials. Meanwhile, recruitment efforts in Russia continue as the Russian government seeks to bolster its military presence in the area. Additionally, Chechen Akhmat Spetsnaz Commander Apty Alaudinov, who has been inconsistent with his statements compared to other Russian sources, has been vocal about the situation in Kursk Oblast. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces escalated their operations by launching drone strikes on Russian air bases, causing substantial damage.
Picture of the day:
The aftermath of a Russian drone strike on a vehicle in the village of Bilyi Kolodiaz, Kharkiv Oblast that killed two medics. (Serhii Bolvinov/Facebook)
What Can I Do To Help Ukraine? This is a question I receive all the time. We at Transform Ukraine are building longer-term housing for internally displaced Ukrainians. Visit Rebuild Ukraine for how you can assist in housing a Ukrainian family displaced by the war.
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has promoted a narrative suggesting that former President Mikhail Saakashvili provoked the 2008 war with Russia, aligning with Kremlin efforts to justify actions against former Soviet territories. The party accuses Saakashvili of treason at the behest of foreign actors, shifting blame from Russia to him for the conflict and occupation of Georgian regions. This stance mirrors Kremlin messaging that accuses Western-leaning leaders in neighboring states of antagonizing Russia, supporting broader Russian justifications for invasions and undermining regional sovereignty.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Moscow is reportedly pulling some of its troops from Ukraine to address a Ukrainian incursion in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, surprising Russian defenses and leading to the seizure of 74 settlements and over 1,000 square kilometers by Ukrainian forces. This move, which has also seen Ukrainian forces entering neighboring Belgorod Oblast, aims to prevent Russian troop movements to Donetsk and disrupt logistics across the border. Despite uncertainty over the number of troops redirected, U.S. officials view this as a partial success for Ukraine’s strategy. Meanwhile, the situation remains tense, with Russia claiming counterattacks in Kursk and Ukraine capturing Russian soldiers. This significant incursion marks a challenging moment for Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially prompting new military mobilizations.
Kursk Front – Initiative Ukraine
Ukrainian forces have slightly advanced in Kursk Oblast, despite a slower overall pace due to increased Russian resistance. Russian bloggers report stabilizing frontlines and reinforcements arriving. Footage and reports confirm Ukrainian presence in several key areas near the border, while Russian sources claim ongoing battles and repelled attacks. Recruitment efforts and statements from Russian and Chechen commanders highlight continued tensions and military activities in the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently discussed the ongoing operations in Kursk Oblast, emphasizing security and the creation of a defensive buffer zone along the border with Russia. This strategy aims to protect Ukraine’s borders and disrupt Russian military logistics. Officials also highlighted Ukraine’s right to self-defense and outlined the operation’s goals, including mitigating Russian artillery threats and highlighting Russian leadership failures.
Recent Ukrainian military actions in Kursk Oblast, including the downing of a Russian Su-34 fighter jet, are significantly impacting Russian defenses and logistics. Satellite imagery has shown new Russian field fortifications near major highways, a move that suggests increased concerns over further Ukrainian advances. These efforts are aimed at protecting key ground lines of communication. Additionally, disruptions in Russian railway logistics have been observed, indicating strategic shifts and potential troop movements. In response to these developments, the Governor of Belgorod Oblast declared a state of emergency to bolster regional security and logistics.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces have made slight territorial gains north of Kharkiv City, with recent advances near the Travyanske Reservoir and southeast of Lukyantsi. Conflicts continue as Russian military units engage in ongoing battles in and around Vovchansk and Tykhe. Geolocated footage confirms these movements.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Positional battles persisted along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line with no confirmed frontline changes. Russian forces launched attacks in multiple areas around Kupyansk and Kreminna, including near Synkivka, Petropavlivka, and the Serebryanske forest.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces launched attacks around Siversk, targeting areas such as Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamyanske, Spirne, and Vyimka, but no changes to the frontline were confirmed.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces continued their assault near Chasiv Yar, targeting areas north, east, and southeast of the city, with no confirmed changes to the frontline. Claims of territorial gains near Klishchiivka by a Russian milblogger remain unverified.
Toretsk
Russian forces conducted ground attacks near Toretsk and surrounding areas, with no confirmed territorial gains.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces made confirmed advances near Pokrovsk, with documented progress north of Novoselivka Persha and into Zhelanne. Additional claims of advances near Svyrydonivka, Hrodivka, and Mykolaivka remain unverified. Continued ground attacks were also reported in several areas around Pokrovsk.
Southwest of Donetsk City
Russian forces continued ground attacks west and southwest of Donetsk City, with no confirmed advances. Claims by Russian milbloggers of control over parts of Kostyantynivka and ongoing clearance in Krasnohorivka are noted.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Zaporizhia-Donetsk Border Area
No reports of continued fighting in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area from either Russian or Ukrainian sources.
Zaporizhia Line
Positional fighting persisted in western Zaporizhia Oblast with no changes to the frontline. Russian forces launched unsuccessful attacks near Robotyne and its surrounding areas.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Positional fighting occurred in east Kherson Oblast and nearby Dnipro River Delta islands.
Ukraine News
Russian forces launched a missile and drone strike against Ukraine using cruise missiles and Shahed drones. Ukrainian defenses shot down 17 drones across multiple regions. An infrastructure object in Zhytomyr Oblast was damaged during the attack.
A Russian FPV drone strike in Kharkiv Oblast killed two combat medics from the Hospitallers Medical Battalion. The attack occurred in the village of Bilyi Kolodiaz, near the Russian border. The medics, a man and a woman, were killed, and three others in a nearby car were wounded. Separately, the Hospitallers reported that 34-year-old volunteer medic Oleksandra Mulkevych died in the line of duty, though details of her death were not specified. (Russian War Crimes)
Captain Oleksandr Myhulia, a 27-year-old Ukrainian pilot and commander in the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade, was killed in action on August 12. Serving in the Air Force since 2014, Myhulia completed over 160 combat flights during Russia’s full-scale invasion, playing a key role in striking enemy positions. He was a recipient of the Order of Courage (II and III class). Further details about his death have not been released, and Ukraine’s Air Force has yet to comment.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported the exposure of a Russian intelligence cell, which included two former members of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych’s security detail and an active National Guard member. These individuals were allegedly involved in gathering intelligence to target Ukrainian officials. The main agents identified were Dmytro Ivantsov, a former head of a unit in the State Security Administration, and Roman Lapa, a former deputy head of Yanukovych’s security, both believed to be operating out of Russian-occupied Crimea with connections to Russia’s FSB. The National Guard member, accused of funneling information to collaborators, has been detained and faces treason charges with a potential 15-year prison sentence. This follows a May report by the SBU of a thwarted assassination plot against President Volodymyr Zelensky, involving leaks from within the same security administration.
A training grenade detonated in a popular cafe in central Kyiv’s Golden Gate neighborhood causing a loud explosion but no injuries or damage. The incident occurred at Zigzag, a well-known spot among locals and foreigners. A witness, Kristina Berdynskykh, reported seeing a man with an object at the bar just before the explosion. The man left before police arrived, who later found grenade fragments. Despite the incident, the cafe remained open, with diners staying inside. Law enforcement sources indicated there was no sign of malicious intent.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 48 hours:
DEATHS: 3 INJURIES: 13
- A 33-year-old man died from a shrapnel wound in a Russian attack on the Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The attack also damaged houses, a transport company, and other buildings. (Russian War Crime)
- In Donetsk Oblast, a Russian attack resulted in one fatality in Zhuravka and two injuries in Shcherbynivka. (Russian War Crimes)
- At least seven people were injured in Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast over the past day. In Kherson, a 41-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman, and her 15-year-old daughter were injured around 6 a.m. on August 14. The mother and daughter were hospitalized, while the man received medical care on-site. Later that morning, a 40-year-old woman, a 49-year-old woman, and a 58-year-old man were injured in Kindiika, and a 59-year-old man was wounded in Antonivka. (Russian War Crimes)
- One civilian was killed and four were injured in Sumy Oblast amid intensified Russian attacks. The fatality and two injuries occurred in the Krasnopillia community, while two more were injured in the Khotyn community. (Russian War Crimes)
- A drone attack in Zhytomyr Oblast damaged an infrastructure facility, but no casualties were reported.
The aftermath of Russian attacks against the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine. (Governor Serhii Lysak/Telegram)
Ukraine’s Allies
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Ukraine has the full right to counter Russia’s aggression “as effectively as possible,” referencing Kyiv’s incursion into Kursk Oblast. Tusk emphasized that Ukraine’s actions are defensive, responding to Russia’s attacks, which he described as genocidal. He noted that while Poland maintains high-level contact with Ukraine, it does not consult on specific operations like the Kursk incursion. Tusk warned that a Ukrainian defeat would pose a significant risk to Poland and Europe.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb affirmed strong support for Ukraine’s right to defend itself, including strikes on Russian territory. He stated that Finland imposes no restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Finnish-supplied weapons, as long as international law is followed.
Life in Russian-Occupied Ukraine
The Lesia Ukrainka Museum in Yalta, Crimea, has been repurposed and renamed the Yalta Historical and Literary Museum, removing all prominent references to the Ukrainian writer, poet, and activist. The museum now features exhibits on Yalta’s history and literature, including works of architect Nikolai Krasnov. The fate of the original exhibits dedicated to Lesia Ukrainka remains unknown, raising concerns they may have been archived, relocated, or destroyed. This action reflects a broader effort by Russian authorities to erase Ukrainian cultural presence in occupied regions, as emphasized by an official’s statement advocating the elimination of Ukrainian identity.
Life in Ukrainian-Occupied Russia
Ukrainian forces removed the Russian flag in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, marking a significant moment in Kyiv’s ongoing incursion that caught Russia off guard. Ukrainian TSN news captured this historic event, showing Ukrainian soldiers in control, despite Russian claims to the contrary. Sudzha is strategically located near the Ukrainian border, intensifying its significance in the conflict.
Russia News
In what is described as the largest airstrike on Russian facilities during the war, Ukrainian forces launched a significant series of drone strikes targeting air bases in Kursk, Voronezh, Borisoglebsk, and Savasleyka. This operation resulted in damage to several airfields and potentially affected Russian aircraft, aimed at disrupting Russian capabilities to launch airstrikes against Ukrainian military and civilian targets. The Kremlin reported the destruction of 117 drones and four missiles across several oblasts including Kursk, Voronezh, and Belgorod, with explosions near key Russian airbases in Savasleyka and Borisoglebsk, hosting significant military assets like the MiG-31K. Geolocated footage and satellite imagery, including NASA data, confirmed the strikes and suggested fires near targeted airbases. President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the coordinated efforts of various Ukrainian military and intelligence units involved. Despite claims of significant damage, including to aircraft and ammunition stores, and surpassing a previous record in May where 102 drones were downed, the full impact is still under assessment and remains unverified by independent sources.
The acting governor of Kursk Oblast, Alexey Smirnov, ordered a mandatory evacuation of Glushkovo amid Ukraine’s advancing incursion. This directive follows previous evacuations, with plans to move 180,000 residents from the region as Ukrainian forces continue their offensive. Glushkovo is strategically located just 20 kilometers from the border.
Russian Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
The Russian government is intensifying its recruitment efforts in Kursk Oblast, deploying conscripts from various regions including Moscow and Leningrad. This move has sparked protests from human rights groups and families concerned about conscripts being sent into active combat. Additionally, surviving conscripts are reportedly being pressured to sign contracts to return to the frontline.
Russian job portals are advertising positions for trench-digging in Kursk Oblast, with pay rates ranging from 150,000 to 371,000 rubles.
The Russian state newswire TASS reported that the Russian Federal Aviation Agency, Rosaviatsiya, issued a modification certificate for the Il-76 military transport aircraft, which reportedly enhances its export potential and flight performance characteristics.
On the closing day of the Army-2024 Forum, Russian officials reported signing contracts worth over 500 billion rubles. As a result, Russian forces will acquire over 500 pieces of basic weaponry and equipment and approximately 1 million various caliber weapons.
The Russian Armed Forces have ordered a new batch of T-90M tanks equipped with the “Arena-M” active protection system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming anti-tank munitions. Additionally, they are receiving upgraded TOS-1A thermobaric artillery systems, as reported by the Head of the Main Directorate of Armament, Anatoly Gulyaev.
At the Army-2024 forum, the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport introduced the “Lancet-E” loitering munition. This export version of the Lancet combines reconnaissance capabilities with precision strike munitions for targeting both stationary and moving targets. The system, operational day and night, has a range of 40 kilometers and can handle takeoff weights up to 12 kilograms.
Controlling The Narrative and Russian Propaganda
Chechen Commander Apty Alaudinov is positioning himself as the key spokesperson for Russian defense efforts in Kursk Oblast, despite his statements often being contradicted by other reliable sources. Alaudinov has claimed that Russian forces have stabilized the region and blocked Ukrainian advances, assertions contradicted by visual evidence and reports from Russian military bloggers. These bloggers suggest that Ukrainian forces maintain control over significant areas, including Sudzha, and indicate Russian difficulties in the region. Alaudinov’s portrayal conflicts with wider perceptions of Chechen military effectiveness and discipline, raising questions about his credibility and the broader Russian military narrative in Kursk Oblast.
A report from Citizen Labs and Access Now reveals a sophisticated Russian spear phishing campaign targeting Kremlin critics in Russia and the West. The campaign, orchestrated by the hacker group Coldriver linked to Russia’s FSB, targeted Russian opposition figures, NGOs, Western diplomats, and U.S. think tank officials by impersonating known contacts and sending emails with malicious links disguised as work-related documents. Among the victims were former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Steven Pifer, and publisher Polina Machold of Proekt Media. The emails were often believed to be legitimate, making the phishing attacks particularly effective. Researchers warn that the scope of targeted individuals is likely much larger, including impersonations of U.S. government personnel, and anticipate ongoing threats against the U.S. government and civil society groups.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com