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Kursk, Russia (City)

Ukraine Steps Up Aerial Assaults on Russian Soil, Trapping Forces in Kursk

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone attacks on Russian cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, in what is considered one of the largest attacks since the start of fighting in 2022. The drone attacks come as Ukrainian forces push into Russia's western Kursk region, targeting bridges, airfields, and oil depots. Russian authorities report that they have destroyed all drones headed towards the capital, with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stating that strong defenses around the capital made it possible to shoot down all the drones before they could hit their intended targets.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukraine has stepped up aerial assaults on Russian soil, targeting refineries and oil terminals to slow down the Kremlin's assault.
  • Since the beginning of this year, Ukraine has conducted a series of drone attacks on Russian cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg.
  • Russian authorities report that they have destroyed all drones headed towards the capital, with 45 drones downed overnight, including 11 over the Moscow region.
  • Ukraine's attacks on three bridges over the Seym River in Kursk could potentially trap Russian forces between the river, the Ukrainian advance, and the Ukrainian border.
  • The Ukrainian Army General Staff said it struck a Russian S-300 defence system Wednesday some 200 kilometers behind enemy lines in Novoshakhtinsk in the Rostov region.
  • More than 90 percent of the Russian civilians who stayed in territories of the Kursk region currently controlled by Ukraine are aged 60 and older.
  • Ukraine has established an office in the Kursk region to provide humanitarian and medical aid to the local population.
  • The Russian Central Electoral Commission has announced that local elections in six districts and one city of the Kursk region scheduled for September 8 will be postponed and rescheduled when voters' safety can be guaranteed.
  • Ukraine's Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that the country has no right to leave Russian civilians to die and that it will continue to provide humanitarian aid to those in need.

Statistics:

  • 45 drones downed by Russian authorities overnight, including 11 over the Moscow region.
  • 200 kilometers: the distance behind enemy lines where Ukraine struck a Russian S-300 defence system in Novoshakhtinsk.
  • 90 percent: the percentage of Russian civilians aged 60 and older in the Kursk region currently controlled by Ukraine.
  • 31 people killed, according to the Russian state news agency Tass.
  • 143 people injured, of whom 79 were hospitalized, including four children, according to the Russian state news agency Tass.

Sources:

  • Associated Press Moscow
  • Russian state news agency Tass
  • Ukrinform national news agency
  • Institute for the Study of War
  • Planet Labs PBC
  • Russian Orthodox Church
  • Volgodonsk diocese
  • Russian Foreign Ministry
  • Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin's Telegram channel
  • Ukrainian Army General Staff

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