The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army “reported on the strengthening of the positions of our forces in the Kursk region” in Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday.
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The Ukrainian Army “reinforces” its positions in the Russian region of Kursk, more than ten days after the start of a surprise large-scale offensive by kyiv’s forces on Russian soil, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday, August 17. The Russian army, for its part, assured SATURDAY “push back” new assaults from kyiv, while continuing to pound several regions of Ukraine, notably in Donbass. Here is what to remember from the day.
kyiv says it is “strengthening” its positions in the Kursk region
“The general (Oleksandr) Syrsky reported on the strengthening of the positions of our forces in the Kursk region and the expansion of the stabilized territory.”Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday after a meeting with the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army. The day before, the military man had assured his leader that his troops had advanced “from one to three kilometers” and took prisoners among the Russian soldiers.
Moscow claims to have “repelled” Ukrainian attacks
The Russian army, which has deployed material and human reinforcements, assured for its part on Saturday that it had “pushed back” Ukrainian attacks near three towns in the Kursk region. Russian soldiers “have pushed back” of the “attacks” Ukrainian “towards the towns of Korenevo, Russkoye and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye”the Russian ministry said in a statement. Moscow claims to have inflicted heavy losses on its adversary.
US Himars systems ‘probably’ used in Kursk, Moscow says
The Ukrainian army has “probably” used American Himars systems for its operation in the Kursk region, Russian diplomacy said on Friday. “For the first time, the Kursk region was targeted by Western rocket launchers, probably American Himars systems”Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram. In May, Joe Biden agreed to let Ukraine strike targets on Russian soil with American weapons.
Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine
Meanwhile, heavy fighting continues further south, in eastern Ukraine, the epicentre of the conflict where the Russian army has been gaining ground for months. Moscow has claimed in recent days the capture of several villages towards the town of Pokrovsk, an important logistical hub on the road to the strongholds of Chassiv Yar and Kostiantynivka. “Dozens of Russian assaults have been launched on our positions over the past day”Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday, assuring that his soldiers “do everything to destroy the occupier and repel the attacks”. “The situation is under control”he said.