Ukraine Invasion: Part 51

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 51. Thanks as usual to all and Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

Agreed thread guidance:

A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events

B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content

C. Discussion and debate is welcome, but please keep it respectful

Yes, the folk were lovely…but very guarded with people they didn’t know.

Thank you for the new thread.

I tried to fill up the last one but ended up on ice instead.

@WearyAuldWumman - where did you study Russian?

I started did two years of a French & Russian degree at St Andrews, starting in 1978. I was accepted into Honours but repeated a year in order to do Economics instead alongside French. My one regret at dropping Russian when I did was that I never got to spend any time in Russia

Because I also did a year in France, my degree took 6 years in total

Glasgow. Including the year abroad, it took me 5 years. I then did a year at Jordanhill for my PGCE. (Degree in Russian, but did enough English to get the dual teaching qualification.)

We started uni the same year. :)

Fortunately I went to Uni after S5 (age 17.5) so was still only 23 when I graduated in 1984

I didn't even apply to Glasgow as I didn't want to stay at home

I did Economics as my 1st year subject/option in 2nd year so after my year in France as an assistante (near Avignon), I had my year abroad "deleted" so that I could repeat 2nd year in order to do 2nd year Economics and ultimately graduated with a Joint French & Economics degree. The only "negative" of having my year abroad nominally deleted was that I then had to do a term in France

My mum was a very good English teacher. If I'd wanted to teach I'd have studied English (which I loved) at Uni - was never interested in teaching a MFL I went to uni with unrealistic naive ideas of being a translator/interpreter. I joined ICI on their graduate training scheme instead

Thanks for the new thread, and good to see Ukraine in the headlines once more with a bit more positivity. Still feel anxious about Ukranian troops in Kursk but even my Dad (who previously bought into the NATO theory) has said it’s a brave thing to do with very little to lose at this stage.

Great work on filling the last thread too 🙌.

Just joining the thread with a round of for us all.

oh thank you @PerkingFaintly These roundups are responsible for quite a few boxes of Yorkshire Gold being emptied.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Ukrainian forces destroyed bridge over Seim River in Kursk Oblast, Russian authority claims. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-destroyed-bridge-over-seim-river-in-kursk-oblast-russian-official-claims/

Russian Telegram channel Mash claimed that about 30 settlements near Glushkovo, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Kursk, have been "cut off" due to the attack.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

⚡️Ukraine advances another 1-3 km into Russia's Kursk Oblast, Syrskyi says. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-advances-by-another-1-3-km-into-russias-kursk-oblast-syrskyi-says/

⚡️Ukrainian forces 'strengthen' https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-forces-strengthen-positions-in-kursk-oblast-syrskyi-says/ their positions in Kursk Oblast, Syrskyi says.

⚡️UK waiting for US' approval to greenlight Kyiv's Storm Shadow strikes https://kyivindependent.com/uk-waiting-for-us-approval-to-greenlight-storm-shadow-strikes-in-russia-times-reports/ in Russia, Times reports.
The U.K. government asked the U.S. over a month ago for permission for Ukraine to use British Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia but is yet to receive a positive response, The Times reported on Aug. 16, citing undisclosed government sources. [Ben Wallace made it clear that the UK was waiting on others' permission]

Thousands flee as Russian troops take one Donetsk Oblast village after another.
The villages of Novohrodivka, Selydove, and Petrivka in Donetsk Oblast are now well-known in Ukraine, stuck between the advancing Russian troops and their main goal – Pokrovsk.
"Novohrodivka was a town that had a lot to offer. People were there for each other. It was still bearable a month ago, but not anymore," Angelina, a humanitarian working with NGO Caritas, said. https://kyivindependent.com/thousands-flee-as-russian-troops-take-one-donetsk-oblast-village-after-another/

⚡️Ukraine 'lost' MiG-29 fighter jet as Russia claims attack on airbase.
Ukraine lost a MiG-29 fighter jet on Aug. 16, according to former Air Force Spokesperson Yurii Ihnat. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-lost-mig-29-fighter-jet-air-force-says/

⚡️ Ukraine's Russia incursion threatens secret efforts https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-kursk-incursion-qatar/ to halt energy strikes, WP reports.
Ukraine's incursion into Russia is disrupting plans for indirect talks in Qatar on mutually halting strikes on energy infrastructure, the Washington Post (WP) wrote on Aug. 17, citing undisclosed official sources.

⚡️Kyiv dismisses Russian claims of planned 'dirty bomb' attacks on nuclear plants. https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-dismisses/

"We officially refute these false reports. Ukraine has neither the intention nor the ability to carry out any such actions. Russia must stop spreading dangerous lies," Heorhii Tykhyi, the Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, said

⚡️Hackers launch cyberattack https://kyivindependent.com/hackers-launch-cyberattack-against-ukraines-monobank/ against Ukraine's Monobank.
A massive denial of service (DDoS) attack targeted Monobank, launching one billion service requests at the company's website in three hours. The situation is under control, according to CEO Oleh Horokhovskyi.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained the heads of the Bucha and Boryspil military enlistment offices over a suspected corruption scheme that allowed men to evade the draft, the SBU and the Prosecutor General’s Office said on Aug. 16. https://kyivindependent.com/2-kyiv-oblast-enlistment-chiefs-detained/

⚡️Ukrainian companies account for 80% https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-companies-account-for-80-of-army-supply-contracts-defense-ministry-says/ of army supply contracts, defense ministry says.

⚡️Government supports https://kyivindependent.com/government-supports-bill-banning-use-of-russian-software/ bill banning use of Russian-developed software.
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers approved a ban on the use of software and websites from Russia and other sanctioned countries, the government announced on Aug. 16.
The draft law also proposes banning access to websites owned by sanctioned individuals or organizations.

⚡️Russia summons https://kyivindependent.com/russia-summons-italian-ambassador-over-journalists-working-in-kursk-oblast/ Italian ambassador over journalists working in Kursk Oblast.

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 3, injure 10 https://kyivindependent.com/attacks-81/ over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪- AUG 17, 2024
■ Engagements close to 7-day avg, casualties above it
■ Special equipm., drones, artillery & missiles above avg
■ 17 MLRS losses in the last seven days
■ 🇺🇦 strikes up, 🇷🇺 strikes down; strike ratio back in the single-digits

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Russia Strengthens Defenses in Kursk Region
According to British intelligence, Russia has begun constructing additional defensive positions in the Kursk region after Ukrainian forces breached the border. The British Ministry of Defense reports that Ukrainian troops advanced 10 to 25 kilometers into Russian territory along a 40-kilometer front.

Ukraine Has Reached Pre-War Export Levels by Sea, Says Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal
“More than 2,300 vessels have entered Ukraine’s Black Sea ports this year, with cargo turnover exceeding 64 million tons. Nearly 44 million tons of grain have been exported from Ukraine. In the first half of 2024, Ukrainian exporters increased the physical volume of their goods by 35%.
This is why one of Ukraine’s greatest victories last year was the opening of the sea corridor,” he stated.

The U.S. Plans to Boost Production of JASSM and LRASM Missiles
The U.S. Department of Defense has allocated approximately $130 million to increase the production of JASSM cruise missiles and LRASM anti-ship missiles. According to a press release from the department, the work will be carried out in Orlando, Florida, with completion expected by December 15, 2027.
The funds will be directed to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control to expand production capacity at its Florida facility.

Ukrainian Air Force Shares Footage of Strikes on Enemy Supply Routes in Kursk Region
The video captures the destruction of a bridge during the operation. https://t.me/United24media/24352

President Receives Credentials from Ambassadors of Mexico, Italy, Slovakia, the Netherlands, India, and Belgium
The ambassadors have now officially begun their duties.

OpenAI Disrupts Iranian Influence Operation Using ChatGPT for U.S. Election Content, – The Hill
OpenAI recently announced that it disrupted an Iranian influence operation, known as Storm-2035, that used its AI-based chatbot, ChatGPT, to generate content related to the U.S. presidential election. The content included commentary on candidates from both political sides, which was shared on social media platforms.
OpenAI has blocked the accounts involved and emphasized that the operation did not achieve significant audience engagement, as most posts received few or no likes, shares, or comments.
The influence operation leveraged ChatGPT to create lengthy articles published on five websites posing as progressive or conservative media outlets. It also generated short social media posts in English and Spanish on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, posing as progressive and conservative organizations.
According to OpenAI, the content primarily covered topics such as the conflict in Gaza, Israel’s presence at the Olympics, and the U.S. presidential election. Other subjects included Venezuelan politics, Latin American rights in the U.S., and Scottish independence.
To enhance credibility, the accounts interspersed this political content with posts about fashion and beauty, possibly to build a following.
OpenAI’s takedown of the Iranian operation comes shortly after former President Trump’s campaign reported that its internal communications had been hacked by “foreign sources hostile to the United States.”

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇬🇧🇺🇸 The United Kingdom cannot allow Ukraine to fire long-range Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Russia because of US opposition, The Times reports https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/us-blocks-ukraine-from-firing-british-missiles-into-russia-9wq6td2pw

London sent a request to Washington over a month ago but has not yet received a response. It also needs to get approval from France and a third unnamed NATO country.

🇭🇷 Croatia is reintroducing compulsory military service on January 1, 2025. It will last for two months
The last conscription in Croatia was held in 2008, after which the country had a voluntary system of military service. Now it is being introduced amid rising tensions in Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine. https://net.hr/danas/rtl-danas/ministar-anusic-ekskluzivno-za-rtl-obvezni-rok-pocinje-1-sijecnja-394fe256-5b2e-11ef-95a3-225a3ed1b99c

In the morning, Russian troops launched a missile attack on Sumy
At least two people were injured. The consequences of the enemy attack are being clarified, and all necessary services are working at the scene.

The Russian war criminals from the terrorist group “155th marine brigade” beheaded another Ukrainian prisoner and published a video, bragging about their crime. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/23521

❗️Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has appealed to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross following the circulation of a video showing Russian soldiers displaying a severed head, claiming it belonged to a Ukrainian soldier.

😨Russian tourist who 'tried to rape a cow' is gored by the animal and has to be rescued by stunned Thai police
Evgenii Kuvshinov, 26, is said to have stripped off and sidled over to a male bull before turning his attention to a female tied to a wooden fence in a field in Surat Thani, southern Thailand, yesterday afternoon.

Service dog Nick was killed in action. Nick suffered a shrapnel wound from a Russian shell and later passed away
According to servicemen who worked with Nick, he was engaged in search operations.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

An advisor to Ukraine's Presidential Office, Mykhailo Podolyak, said that Ukraine aims to use the offensive in the Kursk region to push Russia towards negotiations “on its own terms.”
At the same time, he emphasized that Kyiv is not interested in occupying Russian territories.

Insight into Ukraine’s Growing Offensive in Russia’s Kursk Region
Chuck Pfarrer, a former SEAL Team Six Squadron Leader explores Ukraine’s successful and rapidly expanding offensive against the Kursk region of Russia.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-16-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces continued to marginally advance southeast of Sudzha on August 16 amid continued Ukrainian operations in Kursk Oblast.
• Ukrainian strikes reportedly destroyed two bridges in Glushkovo Raion, Kursk Oblast.
• Ukrainian forces reportedly advanced further into western Belgorod Oblast during recent cross-border assaults than previously reported, but available open-source reporting and evidence indicate that Ukrainian forces no longer maintain positions within Belgorod Oblast as of August 16.
• Ukrainian officials reported that Ukrainian forces continued to advance in Kursk Oblast and suggested that the incursion has forced Russia to more readily consider prisoner-of-war (POW) exchanges.
• The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Office (UN OHCHR) requested that Russian authorities allow UN representatives to visit Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts as part of a human rights monitoring mission.
• US officials reiterated that US policy on Ukraine's ability to use US-provided weapons to conduct long-range strikes against Russian military targets has not changed amid the ongoing Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast.
• The Kremlin reportedly fired former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s advisor on information policy Andrei Ilnitsky possibly as part of an ongoing effort to shift control of Russia's wartime information policy from the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to the Russian Presidential Administration.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk.
• Russian milbloggers claimed on August 16 that Russian drone operators are limiting their use of Mavic drones amid claims that Russian commanders are forcing operators to either personally pay to replace drones lost outside of combat or risk being sent to an infantry assault unit as punishment for losing a drone. [Talk about law of unintended consequences]

Hi all! Thanks for the new thread and for the round-ups. Such a wonderful source of information and keeps Ukraine's cause alive. May Ukraine continue to surprise us with their audacity, courage, innovation and resilience and may we see a Ukraine victory sooner than we think.

Ukrainian forces destroyed bridge over Seim River in Kursk Oblast, Russian authority claims.

The fact that they're blowing bridges is a strong indication that the Ukrainians are not going to withdraw in the near future. They're shaping the battlefield to hold territory. I've also seen reports that they are bringing in materials to build field fortifications.

I thought this was a good discussion of Ukraine's strategy and its implications for the US election.

Ukraine Has a Strategy, the U.S. Doesn’t -Trump at least broaches the real issue: Which Kyiv war aims is Washington willing to subsidize?

Harris has studiously avoided taking almost any positions on Ukraine or anything else. If Trump wins, Ukraine's holding territory in Kursk may make it more attractive for him to support them.

Thanks for the new thread

Love your username! Where the fuck is summer indeed!?!

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Germany likely won't approve additional military aid to Ukraine this year, media reports.
Germany's Finance Ministry is not planning to approve additional aid to Ukraine as part of budgetary savings this year, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported on Aug. 17, citing obtained documents and emails, and unnamed sources. https://kyivindependent.com/germany-to-limit-new-military-aid-to-ukraine-faz-reports/

⚡️Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says reports on Germany halting https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-foreign-ministry-says-reports-on-germany-halting-military-aid-are-manipulation/ military aid are 'manipulation'.
"The reports that Germany is allegedly stopping military aid to Ukraine are incorrect," Heorhy Tykhyi, a spokesman for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, told Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. "This is the same kind of manipulation as the previous reports about halving aid for the next year." [The report surface in, I think, Politico so it was a heavyweight publication so it's odd if there is no reason at all for the rumours. Also, rumours of halting aid could allow German politicians to judge how popular/unpopular the idea is].

⚡️ Another key bridge destroyed https://kyivindependent.com/another-bridge-destroyed-in-kursk-oblast-ukraine-claims/ in Kursk Oblast, Ukraine claims.
It would be the second key bridge destroyed by Ukrainian forces in recent days and will further hinder Russia's ability to resupply troops hoping to fend off Ukraine's incursion.

⚡️Moscow spreads more claims about alleged Ukraine's plan to attack Kursk nuclear plant. https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-spreads-more-claims-about-alleged-ukraines-plan-to-attack-kursk-nuclear-plant/

⚡️Nuclear safety at Zaporizhzhia plant 'deteriorating' after reported drone strike, IAEA warns. https://kyivindependent.com/nuclear-safety-at-zaporizhzhia-plant-deteriorating-after-reported-drone-strike-iaea-warns/

⚡️Cyberattack hits Monobank Ukraine's largest direct bank.
"Yesterday, it subsided at 10:30 p.m., and today, it started again at 3:15 a.m. We are approaching 3 billion service requests in two days," said Oleh Horokhovskyi, the bank's co-owner, on Aug. 17. https://kyivindependent.com/cyberattack-hits-monobank-ukraines-largest-direct-bank/

⚡️ With Nord Stream making headlines again, Donald Tusk tells its patrons to 'apologize and keep quiet. https://kyivindependent.com/with-nord-stream-making-headlines-again-donald-tusk-tells-patrons-to-apologize-and-keep-quiet/

⚡️ Belarus moved third of its army to Ukraine border due to what Lukashenko claims was a misunderstanding https://kyivindependent.com/belarus-moved-third-of-its-army-to-ukraine-border-due-to-independence-day-celebration-mixup-lukashenko-claims/
Lukashenko said he later managed to speak to Ukrainian officials through special channels and the situation was resolved through diplomatic means.

Ukrainian Valkyries: Women embrace military training to learn to defend their homeland.
More than 45,000 women have voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are currently serving alongside men. https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-valkyries-women-embrace-military-training-to-learn-to-defend-their-homeland/

⚡️Kyiv children's hospital CEO suspended amid reconstruction scandal.
Volodymyr Zhovnir, CEO of the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv, was suspended until all inspections related to the hospital's reconstruction are completed, Health Minister Viktor Liashko said on Aug. 17 https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-childrens-hospital-ceo-suspended-amid-reconstruction-scandal/

⚡️3 Ukrainians suspected of port arson https://kyivindependent.com/3-ukrainians-suspected-of-port-arson-in-croatia/ in Croatia.
Croatian police are searching for three Ukrainian citizens suspected of setting multiple ships on fire at the Medulin port on the Istrian peninsula. The May 14 fire reportedly destroyed 22 vessels and caused over $2 million in damage.

⚡️Kadyrov praises https://kyivindependent.com/kadyrov-praises-musk-says-he-will-send-tesla-cybertruck-to-fight-in-ukraine/ Musk, says he will send Tesla Cybertruck to fight in Ukraine.

⚡️Russian attack on Myrnohrad in Donetsk Oblast kills at least 1, injures 4. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-myrnohrad-in-donetsk-oblast-kills-at-least-1-injures-4/

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
‪

• AUG 18, 2024

■ Avg engagements, casualties to reach 600k today ■ Big artillery & vehicle losses; record YTD 7-day MLRS losses ■ KIU: +37 officers, incl. 2 senior; daily 4 batch avg rises to 5.0 ■ Most 🇺🇦 strikes & best ratio in over a week

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Pokrovsk Direction
During the night, a column of Russian invaders attempted to break through to the position, but they were stopped before dawn. 💥

💥 Air Force Releases Video of Airstrikes Destroying Another Bridge in Russia’s Kursk Region https://t.me/United24media/24371

On August 18, Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine damaged a second bridge over the Seim River in the village of Zvane, Kursk region. This bridge was a key supply route for Russian units in the Kursk direction.

🔥 Defense Forces Strike “Kavkaz” Plant, Targeting Oil Storage for Russian Army
Reports indicate that at least two sources of fire have been recorded on the plant’s territory. Further details about the damage and its consequences are still being clarified.

Thanks to the US Agency for International Development USAID, electricity supply has been restored for 27,500 people in Sumy and Mykolaiv, — Mrs. Bridget Brink, the US Ambassador to Ukraine.

Prosecutor General’s Office Launches Investigation into Distribution of Video Showing Beheading of Ukrainian Defender
The Prosecutor General’s Office has initiated a pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder, under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

🕯 Legendary Actor Alain Delon Passes Away at 88 in France, — Le Figaro

Has anyone suggested a motive for the molotov on the boat in Croatia? I mean, was it a Russian boat they went for (and then the fire spread to the rest), or what?

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

⚡️⚡️The Ukrainian military writes that we took control of Korenevo in the Kursk oblast
We are waiting for official confirmation.

A unit from the Russian 810th brigade abandoned their positions near Korenevo, Kursk region. Company commander was captured

"We raped 3 boys, 5 girls, 6 women, and shot them" – a captured Russian tells about his group's atrocities in Avdiivka https://t.me/liveukraine_media/23555

❗️In the morning, the Russians attacked Kyiv in two waves. Ballistic missiles were fired at the capital, followed by cruise missiles
According to the head of the Kyiv City State Administration, Russian troops may have used North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles.
All targets were shot down by air defense forces. Two houses are known to have been destroyed and 16 damaged. Windows are smashed, and facades and roofs are damaged.

Chechnya's Ramzan Kadyrov claims to have received a Tesla Cybertruck allegedly from Elon Musk himself.
"Cybertruck will soon be deployed to the Special Military Operation zone. (...) Thank you, Elon! Come to Grozny," Kadyrov wrote.

Russians abandon their elderly during the evacuation from the Kursk oblast. Ukrainians found a paralyzed grandmother and helped her https://t.me/liveukraine_media/23564

The Shiveluch volcano started erupting in Kamchatka, Russia
It threw ash 9 kilometers away. This was followed by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlight

War in Russia
Seven days difference in NASA FIRMS data confirms the growing area of hostilities as Ukrainian forces press further into Russian territory. https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/24946

Beheading, rape, torture, castration, bombing, kidnapping thousands of children and civilians and indiscriminate killing- how will Russians ever be forgiven when this ends?

None of that is new, it’s been a feature of war since time immemorial unfortunately. For a while there will be claims of ‘never again’ but eventually it will pass from living memory

I watched the clip of that captured Russian soldier talking of raping boys, girls and women. Completely stomach turning.

@dibly , I'm watching this extremely good but totally harrowing BBC4 docu series reflecting on the US's role or lack of in a number of major conflicts over the last few decades. Literally just watched episode 3 on Rwanda. Beheading, rape, torture, castration, bombing, kidnapping thousands of children and civilians and indiscriminate killing all of that, documented and recorded and much of it on film. Many of the diplomats and civil servants and politicians talking about it as if it was yesterday. Just 30 years ago - 1994.
Anyone mention any of that when Sunak and co were chummying up to Rwanda as a lovely place to send asylum seekers? Not much that I noticed. Forgotten by the vast majority, including those who should use their memories in the decision making process.
You'll find once it's over - and it will be over - the ground shifts in interesting ways.

By the way the whole series is well worth watching.

Corridors of Power: Should America Police the World? - Series 1: 3. Rwanda – That Was a Local Thing - BBC iPlayer