Ukraine continued its military campaign against Russia by striking a second key bridge in the Kursk region on Sunday, aiming to disrupt Moscow’s supply routes. The attack was part of Kyiv’s ongoing incursion into Russian territory, now in its second week. The Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk stated that the Air Force aviation was carrying out precision air strikes to deprive the enemy of logistical capabilities. Meanwhile, Russia intensified pressure in eastern Ukraine by claiming to capture a village close to the Ukrainian-held logistics hub of Pokrovsk.
The exact timing of the bridge attack was unclear, but Russian military bloggers shared photos of the destruction from what appeared to be the same bridge dated Saturday. Kyiv initially sent troops and armored vehicles across the border on August 6, marking its biggest attack on Russian territory since the beginning of the conflict. Multiple bridges along the river Seym have been targeted by Ukraine, limiting Russia’s ability to cross the river in the region. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that the destruction of one of the bridges had impeded evacuation efforts, leading to more than 120,000 people fleeing the region.
Russian forces announced the capture of Svyrydonivka, a frontline settlement located 15 kilometers away from Pokrovsk. Pokrovsk, a key intersection for supplying Ukrainian troops and towns in the eastern front, has been a target for the Russian army. Ukrainian forces managed to thwart a Russian missile attack on Kyiv on the same day as the capture of Svyrydonivka. The missiles involved were identified as North Korean ballistic missiles of the KN-23 type. Additionally, Ukrainian drones attacked an oil storage facility in Russia’s Rostov region, causing a large fire, but no injuries were reported.
With Russian forces closing in on Pokrovsk, the head of the city’s military administration advised remaining residents to evacuate. Russian troops have been steadily advancing towards the city, capturing small villages along the way. The ongoing conflict has seen multiple missile attacks on Kyiv, with the Ukrainian military responding by targeting oil and gas facilities deep inside Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has commended his forces for these attacks, stating that they contribute to a “just end” to the conflict. The region remains volatile, with tensions escalating as both sides continue their military operations.
As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia rages on, attacks on strategic locations such as bridges, villages, and energy facilities have become commonplace. Both sides are engaged in a brutal battle for control over key areas, with casualties and displacement of civilians being reported. The destruction of critical infrastructure has hampered evacuation efforts and disrupted supply routes for both Ukrainian and Russian forces. The situation remains fluid, with no immediate end in sight to the conflict, as both sides show no signs of backing down in their military campaigns.
The ongoing conflict not only impacts the immediate region but also has broader implications for international relations. The involvement of North Korean ballistic missiles in the attacks on Kyiv raises concerns about the proliferation of weapons and technology. The targeting of oil and gas facilities also highlights the economic dimensions of the conflict, with energy resources being used as a strategic tool in the military operations. As the conflict enters its second week, the humanitarian toll continues to rise, with thousands of people fleeing the region in search of safety. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for peace negotiations and diplomatic solutions to end the violence and restore stability in the region.
