Ukraine Invasion: Part 50

[MagicFox]

Welcome, with love and thanks to all contributors and lurkers. Unbelievably, we’re on thread 50. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

There are reports that Russia has managed to halt their advance in some areas, indeed.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Russian phishing campaign targets Kremlin's enemies at home and abroad.
The campaign targeted Russian opposition figures, NGOs, and Western diplomats, including former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Steven Pifer. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-phishing-campaign-targets-kremlins-enemies-at-home-and-abroad/

⚡️Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry declared a federal emergency in Belgorod Oblast on Aug. 15, as Ukraine's incursion into Russia marks its 10th day. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-declares-federal-emergency-in-belgorod-oblast/

⚡️ Ukraine forms military administration in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Syrskyi says. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-established-military-administration-in-russias-kursk-oblast/

⚡️Russia offers workers up to $4000 to dig trenches https://kyivindependent.com/russia-offers-workers-up-to-4000-to-dig-trenches-in-kursk-oblast/ in Kursk Oblast. The job ads call for "general workers" who are able to dig fortifications in Kursk Oblast, with posted pay rates ranging between 150,000-371,000 rubles (approximately $1,600-4,000).

Ukrainian special forces captured 102 Russian and Chechen soldiers in Kursk Oblast on Aug. 14, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 15. https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-100-russian-pows-kursk/

⚡️Ukraine opens hotline for Russians in Kursk Oblast to request aid, evacuation to Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-opens-hotline-for-russians-in-kursk-oblast-to-request-aid-evacuation-to-ukraine/

⚡️ Ukraine deploys British Challenger 2 tanks in Russia incursion, media report. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-deploys-british-challenger-2-tanks-in-russia-incursion-media-report/

⚡️ Ukraine's Presidential Office denies Kyiv's involvement in Nord Stream blasts. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-presidential-office-denies-involvement-in-nord-stream-blasts/
"Such an act can only be carried out with extensive technical and financial resources... and who possessed all this at the time of the bombing? Only Russia," Podolyak said in a written comment for Reuters, reiterating Ukraine's position.

Ukraine Business Roundup — Ukrainian companies need workers
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-business-roundup-ukrainian-companies-really-need-workers/

⚡️The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces confirmed that Ukrainian drones struck four Russian airbases overnight on Aug. 14. The consequences are being determined. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-hit-4-russian-airbases/

⚡️India's embassy in Russia advises Indian nationals to evacuate Kursk Oblast, other border regions. https://kyivindependent.com/indias-embassy-in-russia-advises-indian-nationals-to-evacuate-kursk-oblast-other-border-regions/

⚡️Russia sentences US citizen to 12 years imprisonment for donating to Ukraine charity. Karelina, a resident of Los Angeles, was arrested in Russia earlier this year while visiting her grandparents. Russian authorities charged her with treason because she donated $51.80 to the nonprofit organization Razom for Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-sentences-us-russian-citizen-12-years/

Russian drone strike in Kharkiv Oblast kills 2 medics, police report. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-strike-in-kharkiv-oblast-kills-2-medics-police-report/

⚡️Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 5, injure 21 over past day. https://kyivindependent.com/attacks-79/

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪

• AUG 15, 2024

■ Most engagements this month so far, casualties stay high ■ +3 MLRS (12 in last 7 days) & 24 APVs ■ Janovsky: 56 🇷🇺 36 🇺🇦 net addition; 30-day ratio down to 2.6x ■ Fewer strikes on both sides, unfavorable strike ratio

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Ukrainian Forces Take Control of 82 Settlements and Expand 1,150 km² in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have captured 82 settlements and moved in 1,150 km² and 35 km in depth since the beginning of Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region in Russia.
This was reported by Syrskyi during the meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief held by Zelenskyy on August 15.

A new wave of ru-propaganda fakes about events in the Kursk region.
The Center for Countering Disinformation continues to monitor the russian information space, revealing new fakes and manipulations being spread by enemy propaganda regarding events in the Kursk region. https://cpd.gov.ua/en/articles-en/russian-propaganda-unleashes-new-fakes-about-the-kursk-region-events/

In the morning, the Russians destroyed a logistics infrastructure object during the shelling of the Kupiansk district in the Kharkiv region

A company of 102 Russian soldiers surrendered in the Kursk region, bolstering Ukraine's exchange fund

The Russian occupiers are building a life-size model of the destroyed Rostov-on-Don submarine in Sevastopol, — OSINT researcher MT_Anderson. [uh ... what? why?]

President Zelenskyy: We Continue to Work with Partners on Far-Reaching Solutions for Ukraine

Ukraine Deploys Over 30 Robot Dogs from the UK in Donbas, — BILD
The Armed Forces in the Donetsk region have introduced BAD.2 robot dogs from the British company Brit Alliance into battle. These robots assist in reaching areas inaccessible to aerial drones, such as inside buildings or enemy trenches. The robot dogs are used for neighborhood scouting, landmine detection, and tracking the movement of Russian forces.
Currently, more than 30 of these robot dogs are active on the front lines. Thanks to heat-resistant camouflage provided by the German company Concamo, they are nearly impossible to detect.
The robots move discreetly at speeds of up to 15 km/h, operating within a 3.5 km radius for up to five hours. Each unit costs up to 8,000 euros.
The first robot dogs were tested by soldiers of the 28th Brigade.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have begun on the exchange of Russian soldiers captured in the Kursk oblast
This was reported by the Financial Times, citing the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. https://www.ft.com/content/e296128b-9f7b-4af5-9951-719cda4af3ba
Yesterday, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported on a conversation about the exchange with Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova. According to him, the dialogue was initiated by the Russian side. [for the 1st time]
Sources among Ukrainian government officials and soldiers told the FT that the Defense Forces managed to capture “hundreds” of Russian soldiers in the Kursk oblast, many of them conscripts.

⚡️⚡️Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber in Kursk Oblast, the General Staff reports

According to Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine may set up military commandant's offices in the Kursk oblast of the Russian Federation to provide humanitarian aid to local residents

First Ukrainian journalists arrive in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, Russia😍 https://x.com/wartranslated/status/1823647895305822328

Russian forces released helicopter guncam footage of them accidentally taking out their own convoy with guided missiles https://t.me/liveukraine_media/23472

🤡Lukashenko urged to stop the war in Ukraine and sit down at the negotiating table

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

‘I Fear Simple Solutions in Complex Conditions’ – Head of Ukraine’s Central Bank
Ukraine’s central bank has switched from an anti-shock policy to stabilization and wants to return to inflation-targeting – which role best meet the future need for new budget revenues? https://www.kyivpost.com/post/37361

Is Russia Planning the Unthinkable?
David Satter explains why Ukraine is right to be alarmed that Moscow may plot false-flag operations.

Relatives Hit by Wall of Silence in Search for Russian Conscripts Missing in Kursk
In the absence of any official mechanism for locating their kids, Russian parents are inundating non-governmental humanitarian and human rights groups for help tracking them down. https://www.kyivpost.com/post/37438

Chechen Fighters Reported Killed and Captured by Ukraine’s Kursk Incursion
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/37390

Tuareg Rebels in Mali Reject Ukraine Assistance Claims
The rebel group that claimed responsibility for July’s clashes with Wagner mercenaries and Malian government forces said it did not receive any assistance from foreign countries, including Ukraine. https://www.kyivpost.com/post/37427

⚡️Volodymyr Saldo, a Ukrainian politician turned top Russian proxy in the occupied part of Kherson Oblast, is suspected of stealing nearly 3,000 tons of Ukrainian grain— the Office of the Prosecutor General.
In the fall of 2022, Saldo ordered the establishment of a temporary administration at the seized "Kherson Grain Products Plant" and directed the removal of grain from Kherson.

Question:

Are the roundups too long nowadays?

I think they're fine, thanks for posting them

No they are fine, thanks for all the hard work.

Agree I like them as they are, if they were shorter I think we'd miss some of the smaller, but sometimes actually more interesting, stories.

Okay doke, ill keep on at this level.

Sometimes some things seem of little importance at the time but similar things keep recurring over the months until it becomes a theme, so I put them in - course, now my brain can't think of any, but they do exist!

Not at all. Appreciate all the work that goes into it every day. Avidly read.

I like the roundup, but if you are finding them too time consuming, please don't worry if they have to be a bit shorter, we will manage.

You are a marvel for pulling them together.

I just wanted to know if they're kinda right, or need adjusting a bit =)

Ill keep them as they are.

For what it's worth, I find them spot on.

I read them every day too Ducks 🙏

Not far to needing a new thread, @MagicFox

Hope we don't get an influx of silly people like last time

It's a bit early but here it is - maybe we should fill this one up first somehow. MNHQ are aware of the new thread: Ukraine Invasion: Part 51 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/5143073-ukraine-invasion-part-51

yeah, agreed. Unless Mumsnet can lock this thread?

I have forgotten the Official Guidance: is it "Ignore the trolls but report them" and that's all we do?

I often think ignore but then I also think challenge if able to do so and if they’re making coherent points (rather than just spouting hatred).

Yes to both of these id say - depends on the flavour of troll. And being mindful that there may be a genuine belief in particular talking points due to how good all the propaganda is. So careful and, initially, generous challenging? Presentation of evidence, research etc. We've navigated the waters so far

The WSJ has some front line reporting from Kursk.

On Russia’s Border, Fear and Defiance: ‘No One Will Chase Us Out of Here’ Thousands of residents have been evacuated from Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions after being caught off guard by Ukraine’s incursion

A lot of civilians have not evacuated.

I’m very thankful for the information, though I wish we didn’t need it; can’t wait for it to be over.
I sense it will end suddenly in an unforeseen manner though that may just be wishful thinking.
I read every day and the main contributors are so familiar now - I’ll be fangirling when we finally make it to the cocktail evening 🍹🍸

Hopefully that restricts Putin’s response.

I sense it will end suddenly in an unforeseen manner though that may just be wishful thinking.

I wonder. There have been some surprising turns haven't there? Shoigu gone, Gerasimov can't be in good favour, 20% of Ukraine occupied, Kersk occupied, Crimea one heck of a warzone ... it will be very interesting to see how it ends.

Then the long job of rebuilding Ukraine.