The Ukrainian army says it is strengthening its positions in the offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk.
President Zelensky said that military chief Syrsky had informed him about the reinforcement and expansion of the stabilized area. There was already talk of gaining terrain on Friday. Russia denied the information. The Defense Ministry in Moscow announced that the Ukrainian soldiers were being pushed back in Kursk.
The Ukrainian Air Force also confirmed that it had destroyed a strategically important transport bridge in the area. This would eliminate an important supply route for Russian troops. Russia had previously announced the destruction of the bridge by Ukrainian forces. The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Ukraine of using Western weapons, including US Himars missiles.
The German ambassador in Moscow, Count Lambsdorff, told the “General-Anzeiger” from Bonn that Ukraine’s advance had made Russia nervous. It was a “bad surprise” for the country. Lambsdorff still doesn’t see any chances of peace negotiations at the moment. Russia continues to insist on its far-reaching preconditions.
This message was sent on August 17, 2024, on the Deutschlandfunk program.