Monday, August 21

Russia’s war against Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and the Royal Netherlands Air Force Chief André Steur after inspecting two F-16 fighter jets at the air base in Eindhoven on Aug. 20. (Photo: President’s Office)

Zelensky rules out giving away Ukrainian territory in return for peace. Ukraine will not consider giving away part of the country’s territory to Russia in some kind of “exchange” as a part of a potential peace deal, president Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Aug. 20 in Eindhoven.

Bloomberg: Russian security hardliners want Shoigu and Gerasimov gone, new mobilization wave. Hardline members of Russia’s security apparatus remain in favor of dismissing current Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff chief Valerii Gerasimov, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 20 citing undisclosed five people “with knowledge of the situation.”

Zelensky: Ukraine to receive 42 F-16 fighter jets. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Aug. 20 that Ukraine would receive 42 US-made F-16 fighter jets.

Danish Prime Minister: Ukraine to receive first batch of F-16s before New Year. Denmark plans to supply Ukraine with the first batch of six F-16 fighter jets out of 19 promised before the New Year, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced during a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Aug. 20 at the Skrydstrup airbase.

Russian governor: 12 drones downed over Belgorod. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, claimed on Aug. 2

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Roskosmos: Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft loses control, crashes into moon. The Russian Luna-25 spacecraft that was supposed to be the first to land on the lunar south pole has crashed into the moon, Russia’s state space agency Roskosmos said on Aug. 20.

National Resistance Center: Governor of Kursk Oblast built fake defense structures. Roman Starovoyt, governor of Kursk Oblast in Russia, built fake defense fortifications along the region’s border with Ukraine, according to images of the structures obtained by Ukraine’s National Resistance Center on Aug. 20.

Ukraine to launch international medical partnership program. Ukraine will launch an international medical cooperation program, Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska announced on Aug. 20 during a visit to the Netherlands.

Zelensky arrives in Denmark for F-16 talks. President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Denmark on Aug. 20 to discuss the delivery of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

UK Defense Ministry: Russia’s Aerospace Forces likely under intense pressure to improve air defense. Russia’s Aerospace Forces (VKS) is highly likely under intense pressure from Moscow to bolster air defense over western Russia as drone attacks inside Russia have increased over the past months, the U.K. Defense Ministry said on Aug. 20.

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Ukraine war latest: Kyiv to receive 42 F-16 fighter jets, with first aircraft in 2023

Three months after U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to allow NATO allies to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Aug. 20 that Ukraine would receive 42 aircraft, the first set to arrive by the end of 2023.

Photo: President’s Office

This Week in Ukraine - Ep. 21

Counteroffensive: Expectations vs. Reality

Human cost of war

Governor: 7 in critical condition after Russian strike on Kupiansk. Eleven people have been injured, including seven in critical condition, after Russian forces shelled downtown Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Aug. 20.

Russian forces attack Kherson, Kharkiv oblasts, killing 1. Russian forces have shelled Kherson Oblast, injuring one civilian, and attacked Kharkiv Oblast, killing one man, the authorities reported on Aug. 20.

Governor: 2 civilians killed in Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast. Russian troops shelled the village of Kozatske in Kherson Oblast twice over Aug. 20, killing 2 civilians, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on Telegram.

Governor: Russian shelling of Kupiansk critically injures civilian. Russian forces shelled the city of Kupiansk at around 7 a.m. local time, seriously injuring a man aged around 40, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Aug. 20.

General Staff: Russia has lost 257,470 troops in Ukraine. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on Aug. 20 that Russia has lost 257,470 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24 last year.

International response

Dutch PM: Netherlands, Denmark to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. The Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Aug. 20 the Netherlands and Denmark would provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets once conditions for the transfer have been met.

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