Politics Selenskyj sees Ukraine continuing its advance in Russia
Ukraine has made further territorial gains in its counter-offensive in the Russian region of Kursk, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
20.08.2024, 05:07
SDA
"As of today, our forces control more than 1,250 square kilometers of enemy territory and 92 localities," said Zelenskyi during an appearance before Ukrainian diplomats and officials. A tactical goal of reducing the threat to the Ukrainian border region of Sumy had thus been achieved. In addition, the offensive was the greatest success in terms of the capture of Russian soldiers since the beginning of the war, said Selensky.
According to him, the Russians will later be exchanged for Ukrainians taken prisoner of war. According to observers, Russia has captured more Ukrainians in the course of the war to date than vice versa.
Selenskyj: Nobody would have thought the offensive possible
Selensky described the offensive as a great success. A few months ago, no one would have thought this possible. Critics would have rejected any thoughts of this kind as crossing the "reddest of Russia's red lines", he pointed out. That is why the preparations had been made in secret. However, the current success clearly shows Vladimir Putin's inability to protect his territory from such counter-attacks. In addition, the Ukrainian advance had also led to a rethink among Western partners, said Selensky, who continued to demand that his diplomats actively solicit weapons aid.
Selenskyj's statements on the advance go beyond most previous estimates by military observers. A few days ago, for example, the independent internet portal "Meduza" estimated that 862 square kilometers of territory had been gained in the embattled Kursk region on the basis of photo and video material. However, most experts themselves admit the inaccuracy of their estimates. The Ukrainian armed forces in particular are publishing very little so as not to jeopardize their advance.
According to military analyst Jan Matveyev, the Russian troops south of the Sejm River are also in danger of being encircled. According to the Ukrainian armed forces, they have destroyed or at least severely damaged two bridges over the river. In addition, there are still officially unconfirmed reports of a third destroyed bridge. Matveyev argued that such damage would make it much more difficult to supply the Russian troops, but would also make a possible retreat much more difficult.
Putin currently rules out negotiations with Ukraine
While Kiev could hope for a better negotiating position through the counter-offensive, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is taking a stubborn stance. According to information from Moscow, he no longer wants to negotiate. "The President has said very clearly that after the attacks, or more precisely the invasion of the Kursk region, began, there can be no question of negotiations," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of Putin's visit to Azerbaijan on Russian state television. Putin will also give an assessment of the situation shortly, Lavrov announced.
Reports of contacts between the warring parties, which had been established by intermediaries such as Qatar or Turkey, were nothing more than rumors, Lavrov added.
Ukrainians under pressure in the east
While the Ukrainian troops are making progress on Russian territory, the situation on the front in the east of their own country remains difficult. There were 154 battles on Ukrainian territory on Monday, the General Staff in Kiev reported in its evening situation report. The most important direction of attack for the Russians remains the Pokrovsk area in the Donetsk region, where more than a third of the attacks took place. According to the General Staff, more than 300 Russian soldiers were killed or injured there alone. These figures cannot be verified independently.
Above all, the attacks from the air continue to cause problems for the Ukrainian soldiers. The situation report mentions 71 Russian air strikes and the dropping of 86 guided glide bombs. In addition, numerous kamikaze drones were used against Ukrainian positions as well as settlements, according to the report.
Washington: Advance in Kursk region changes nothing in terms of aid
According to the Pentagon, the Ukrainian counter-offensive in the Kursk region does not change the USA's support for Kiev. US President Joe Biden has "made it very clear that we will continue to support Ukraine and stand with them for as long as it takes," said a spokeswoman for the US Department of Defense. This also means that the nature and type of aid has not changed. Kiev will continue to be supported primarily with the delivery of military equipment.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov of the USA's continued support in a conversation on Monday, said spokeswoman Sabrina Singh. In the exchange, Austin had also gained a better understanding of what Ukraine wanted to achieve with the counter-offensive. When asked, the spokeswoman did not want to comment on whether Washington was providing Kiev with additional satellite information. She did not want to talk publicly about sharing intelligence with the Ukrainians, she said, "but we do have that relationship with them."
Drone attacks at night
Drone attacks were again reported during the night in numerous Ukrainian regions far from the front line. According to the air defense, the areas of Sumy, Poltava, Kherson and Mykolaiv were targeted. Air defense was also deployed in the area surrounding the capital Kiev. The regional administration called on residents to seek shelter. No damage has been reported so far.
This will be important on Tuesday
China's Prime Minister Li Qiang is coming to Russia on an official visit. Li Qiang is in Moscow from August 20 to 22 at the invitation of his colleague Mikhail Mishustin. He is also to be received by Putin. China is considered Russia's most important partner. Moscow has become dependent on Beijing since the start of its war of aggression. In contrast to Europe and the USA, China has not condemned Russia's war and has expanded trade with its neighbor despite Western sanctions.
