Monday, August 19

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Residents attempt to clean a damaged area after Russian forces struck outside of Kyiv with two ballistic missiles on August 18, 2024 (Danylo Antoniuk/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Another key bridge destroyed in Kursk Oblast, Ukraine claims. If confirmed, it would be the second key bridge destroyed by Ukrainian forces in recent days and will further hinder Russia’s ability to resupply troops hoping to fend off Ukraine’s incursion.

Ukraine aims to create buffer zone in Kursk Oblast, destroy as much Russian war potential as possible, Zelensky says. In his address, President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that the “coming weeks will be crucial for our diplomatic efforts with various partners in Europe, America, and the Global South.”

Ukraine to resume scheduled blackouts after 3-week break, says state grid operator. Scheduled blackouts will resume across Ukraine on Aug. 19 for the first time in three weeks, the state grid operator Ukrenergo announced on Aug. 18.

Incursion into Kursk Oblast could ‘change the tide’ for Ukraine, US Senator says. During an interview on CBS’ Face the Nation on Aug. 18, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly said that Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Oblast could help Ukraine change the course of the war in the country’s favor.

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Kyiv repels Russian aerial attack, North Korean ballistic weapons used in strike, city authorities say. No damage or casualties have been reported in the capital.

Belarus moved third of its army to Ukraine border due to what Lukashenko claims was misunderstanding. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said he later managed to speak to Ukrainian officials through special channels and the situation was resolved through diplomatic means.

Russia used over 40 missiles, 750 guided bombs against Ukraine this week, Zelensky says. Russia has launched 40 missiles, 750 guided aerial bombs, and 200 combat drones against Ukrainian cities and villages over the past week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 18.

Russia denies reported indirect negotiations with Ukraine to halt energy strikes. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova denied on Aug. 18 a report that the country was entering indirect talks with Ukraine in Qatar on mutually halting strikes on energy infrastructure.

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Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces reportedly destroy another key bridge in Kursk Oblast, ‘strengthen’ positions

A second key bridge has been destroyed in Russian Kursk Oblast by Ukrainian forces operating there, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Aug. 18.

Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images

Human cost of war

Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast kill 4, injure 4 more. Russian troops attacked different settlements in Donetsk Oblast, killing four people and injuring four more on Aug. 18, Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported.

Russian attack on Bilopillia in Sumy Oblast kills 1, injures 3. Russian forces attacked civilian infrastructure in the town of Bilopillia in Sumy Oblast on Aug. 18, killing one person and injuring three others, including an 11-year-old girl, the Sumy Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported.

International response

With Nord Stream making headlines again, Donald Tusk tells its patrons to ‘apologize and keep quiet.’ Poland has come under particular scrutiny in recent days over the act of sabotage which is still being investigated, with a former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, BND, earlier this week claiming it could not have been carried out without Warsaw’s support.

German Foreign Ministry refutes claims that Berlin will not provide Kyiv with assistance next year. The German Foreign Ministry refuted claims that Berlin will not provide Kyiv with assistance next year, Suspilne media outlet reported on Aug. 18.

Russian nuclear giant Rosatom directed additional income through Dutch subsidiary. Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear energy company, uses a Dutch subsidiary to move “hundreds of millions in profits,” Dutch news outlet NOS reported, citing a report from Uranium One Cooperative.

Putin arrives in Azerbaijan for first state visit since full-scale invasion began. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Baku on Aug. 18 for a two-day visit for talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev. The trip marks Putin’s first visit to the capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Kursk update, Nord Stream, nuclear plant | Ukraine This Week

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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Dmytro Basmat, Olga Rudenko, Oleksiy Sorokin, Daria Shulzhenko, Teah Pelechaty, Natalia Yermak, and Chris York.

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