Every day, Midi Libre assesses the situation in Ukraine. On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, discover the latest updates regarding this conflict.
Russia conducted an airstrike on Ukraine overnight
Russia launched 38 attack drones and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight from Monday to Tuesday, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
The military reported that thirty drones were destroyed across eight Ukrainian regions via the Telegram messaging app, without providing additional details. Since the war began, Russia has intensified its drone and missile strikes, particularly targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and significantly damaging the power grid.
This latest attack comes after Moscow vowed to retaliate for the ongoing Ukrainian military operations in Russia’s Kursk region. Authorities in Ukraine’s Sumy region, which borders Kursk, reported one person injured due to the overnight attack.
A power line and a gas pipeline were damaged, as were a hospital and several vehicles, they noted. Additionally, attacks were reported in the regions of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, Vinnytsia in central Ukraine, and Mykolaiv in the south, causing material damage but no casualties, according to local authorities.
Ukrainian incursion into Kursk
- Ukraine claims control of 74 localities in Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Tuesday that his forces have taken control of 74 towns in Russian territory, following a surprise offensive last week that led to tens of thousands of civilians fleeing.
“Despite difficult and intense fighting, our forces continue to advance in the Kursk region. There are 74 localities under Ukrainian control,” Zelensky announced on Telegram.
- Biden says Ukraine’s offensive in Russia poses a ‘real dilemma’ for Putin
The Ukrainian offensive in Russia “creates a real dilemma for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” Joe Biden stated on Tuesday, commenting on the issue publicly for the first time.
The American president, during a trip to New Orleans, indicated that he had been in contact with his team “every four or five hours for six to eight days” regarding this situation, and affirmed that the United States, Kyiv’s primary military supporter, was “in constant communication with the Ukrainians.”
- Ukrainian troops have advanced 800 km² into Russian territory
According to Russian sources cited by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and analyzed by AFP on Tuesday, Ukrainian troops have advanced 800 km² into the Russian region of Kursk.
Ukraine, on its part, claimed on Monday that it had gained control of 1,000 km² of Russian territory in this border area, where its forces remain on the offensive following a major surprise attack launched on August 6.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhiy stated on Tuesday that Ukraine is not seeking to “annex” Russian territories, referring to the military operations currently underway in the Russian region of Kursk.
“Unlike Russia, Ukraine does not need other people’s property. Ukraine does not want to annex any territory of the Kursk region, but it wants to protect the lives of its people,” the diplomat stated at a press conference.
Kyiv insists it does not aim to occupy Russian territory but to ‘complicate’ Moscow’s operations
The Ukrainian government declared on Tuesday that the cross-border attacks in Russia’s Kursk region, marking the Ukrainian military’s most significant breakthrough since the war began in February 2022, would hinder Moscow from deploying additional troops to the front lines in eastern Ukraine.
Kyiv claims control of an area of 1,000 square kilometers as part of the surprise cross-border operation launched last week in the Kursk region and insists it has no intention of occupying Russian territory. In the last 24 hours, Ukrainian troops have advanced 40 square kilometers, according to the army’s general staff.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned earlier today that the Ukrainian military now controls 74 settlements in the Kursk region. “Unlike Russia, Ukraine does not need other people’s property. Ukraine is not interested in taking territory in the Kursk region,” a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated. “We aim to protect the lives of our people… This operation assists at the front lines by preventing Russia from transferring additional units to the (Ukrainian) Donetsk region, complicating its military logistics,” Heorhi Tykhy added.
Zelensky previously indicated that the Ukrainian military has taken control of areas in the Kursk region that Russia has utilized to conduct over 2,000 cross-border strikes against Ukraine since June. Moscow has been striving to advance in various parts of the Donetsk region for months, leveraging its numerical superiority over Ukrainian troops to secure gains in strategic cities like Pokrovsk, which is a logistics hub for Kyiv.
The Ukrainian military on Tuesday restricted civilian movement in a 20-kilometer border zone in the northeast of the country, citing an “intensification of hostilities” and the presence of Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups. According to the acting governor of the Kursk region, the Ukrainian army controlled 28 settlements on Monday following an incursion of approximately 12 kilometers into Russian territory.
While Moscow denies the extent of Kyiv’s claimed gains from the incursion, these comments represent a surprising public admission of a setback for Russia since the launch of what it termed a “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022. Kyiv and its allies characterize it as an invasion.
Latest Updates on the Ukraine Conflict – August 13, 2024
news on the Ukraine conflict as of August 13, 2024. Discover the recent airstrikes, territorial claims, and implications for the region.">
Russia Launched an Airstrike on Ukraine Overnight
On the night of Monday into Tuesday, Russia launched a significant military assault against Ukraine, deploying 38 attack drones and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, 30 of these drones were intercepted and destroyed across eight Ukrainian regions.
In recent months, Russia’s drone and missile strikes have intensified, specifically targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, which has led to serious damage to the nation’s power grid. These attacks come amid escalating tensions due to Ukraine’s military incursions into the Russian territory of Kursk, where local officials reported one civilian injured from the bombardment.
Additionally, reports confirmed damage to a power line and gas pipeline, with further damages noted to a hospital and several vehicles. Areas including Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, and Mykolaiv also reported attacks resulting in material damage, although no casualties were reported.
Ukrainian Incursion into Kursk
- Ukraine Claims Control of 74 Localities in Russia
In a major development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces have gained control over 74 towns within Russian borders, following a surprise offensive initiated last week that prompted tens of thousands of civilians to flee.
Zelensky stated via Telegram, “Despite difficult and intense fighting, the advance of our forces in the Kursk region continues. There are 74 localities under the control of Ukraine”.
- Biden Discusses Challenges for Putin
U.S. President Joe Biden commented on the situation, mentioning that Ukraine’s offensive poses a “real dilemma” for Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a visit to New Orleans, Biden indicated that the U.S. remains in constant communication with Ukrainian leaders, discussing developments every few hours.
- Ukrainian Troops Advance 800 km² into Russian Territory
According to information relayed by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian troops have successfully advanced 800 km² into Russia’s Kursk region. Ukraine claims control over 1,000 km² during this cross-border operation.
The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Georgiy Tykhiy, clarified that Ukraine does not aspire to “annex” Russian territories but instead aims to protect its citizens. “Unlike Russia, Ukraine does not need other people’s property. We want to protect the lives of our people,” he stated.
Kyiv’s Objectives in the Kursk Operation
The Ukrainian government confirmed that the recent cross-border attacks were intended to disrupt Russian operations. Ukrainian control over 1,000 square kilometers is seen as a strategic effort to complicate Moscow’s military logistics by preventing Russia from deploying additional troops to the eastern front.
Ukrainian President Zelensky reported further advancements, stating that the Ukrainian military currently controls 74 settlements in the Kursk region. A spokesperson reaffirmed the goal of the operation, emphasizing the protection of Ukrainian lives rather than territorial expansion.
Military Impacts and Community Safety Measures
The Ukrainian military has enacted restrictions on civilian movement within a 20-kilometer border zone in response to the “intensification of hostilities” and the presence of potential Russian sabotage and reconnaissance units. As per the acting governor of the Kursk region, it was noted that Ukraine has gained control of 28 settlements after an incursion of about 12 kilometers into Russian territory.
International Reactions and Humanitarian Concerns
The ongoing conflict and shifts in territorial control have drawn international attention, particularly focusing on humanitarian implications. With civilian safety at risk, the Ukrainian government is prioritizing the protection of its populace while navigating the complex and volatile situation arising from the conflict.
Key Highlights
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Airstrike | August 12, 2024 | 38 drones, 2 missiles launched; significant infrastructure damage. |
| Ukrainian Territorial Advancement | August 6, 2024 | Control of 1,000 km² reported in Kursk. |
| Biden’s Statement | August 13, 2024 | Comments on the offensive as a dilemma for Putin. |
Summary of Strategic Implications
The conflict continues to evolve, with significant military actions from both Russia and Ukraine. The developments in Kursk signify a turning point in the Ukrainian strategy, showcasing not only military prowess but also a commitment to protecting national sovereignty. As the situation unfolds, monitoring the implications on regional security and civilian safety remains crucial.