Newsletter 20/08/2024
Daily news digest
Ukrinform journalists visited Suja, a city controlled by the Ukrainian military
War
Zelensky explains secrecy around Kursk raid preparation
Just a few months ago, many people around the world, if they had heard that we were planning such an operation like the one in the Kursk region, would have said that it was impossible and that it would cross the strictest of all the red lines that Russia has.
Line of active hostilities on frontline is over 1,000 kilometres - Syryskyi
The Armed Forces of Ukraine currently control over 1,260 square kilometers of territory and 93 settlements in Kursk Oblast (RF), he said. In addition, the Ukrainian military is closing sections of the state border with Russia, Belarus and Moldova on a 2,393 km stretch.
Moscow rules out peace talks amid Ukraine's operation in Kursk region – media
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Ukraine's incursion had pushed peace talks further away. "At the current stage, given this escapade, we will not talk," he said.
Expert: Belarus' statements about deployment of aviation and air defence near border with Ukraine are PSYOPs
The deployment of Belarusian aviation and air defence forces near the border with Ukraine is currently an information and psychological operation (PSYOP), but it cannot be ruled out that Vladimir Putin will ‘push’ the Belarusian dictator to "take more concrete actions".
Battles
There were 87 skirmishes at the front, a third of them in the Pokrovsky direction
Ukrainian fighter jets hit position of Russian forces in Donetsk region with glide bombs/VIDEO
AASM Hammer bomb destroys Russia’s control bunker in Kursk axis/VIDEO
Paratroopers post video showing Marder IFV in action in Kursk region/VIDEO
Border guard "vampire" destroys fuel and lubricants depot and Russian positions in Luhansk region
Russian attack on Ternopil region: Chlorine levels in the air 4-10 times higher than normal
The Russian military blew up the headquarters with Storm Zet officers and went over to the side of Ukraine
Others news
Parliament bans activity of Russian church in Ukraine
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has adopted at second reading the bill "On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organizations," which bans the activity of religious organizations affiliated with Russia in Ukraine.
Putin flies to Baku to shift public focus away from awkward developments near Kursk - ISW
Russian leader Vladimir Putin came on a visit to Baku, demonstrating diplomatic activity while trying to divert attention from the "uncomfortable situation" that has been developing in Kursk region as Ukraine’s forces pursue their incursion into the area.
Czech President believes Ukraine can join NATO even with part of its territory remaining occupied
"I believe full restoration of control over the entire territory is not a prerequisite (for membership). If it comes to demarcation or the formation of some administrative border, we can perceive this administrative border as temporary and accept Ukraine into NATO within the borders it will control at that time," the president said.
Next Ramstein meeting to be held September 6
Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the so-called "Ramstein" format, unites nearly 50 countries with the aim of coordinating efforts to support Ukraine in repelling Russian aggression.