Ukraine Advances Swiftly with Minimal Obstacles – War Update 8/15

As Ukrainian forces’ incursion into Russia’s Kursk region enters its second week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that Ukrainian troops had “advanced well” that day, despite Moscow’s reinforcements.

Zelensky reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) had gained about a mile on Wednesday. In his address, he mentioned that the creation of a buffer zone in the Kursk region is a step to protect Ukraine’s northeastern border communities from shelling.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) estimated that Ukrainian troops had overtaken an area of at least 800 square kilometers in the region.

Ukrainian soldiers who recently returned from combat spoke to the BBC, expressing surprise at how easily they entered Russia. The element of surprise worked in their favor, and they encountered little resistance from Russian civilians.

Meanwhile, Moscow residents are feeling the impact of the war reaching their doorstep, heightening concerns and worries among the locals.

AFP correspondents reported that evacuees from the Kursk region are being relocated to frontline areas in the Zaporizhzhia region, intensifying the conflict in that area.

Residents and visitors in Moscow expressed their concerns as the war intensified around them. The proximity of the conflict has disrupted the lives of many, causing anxiety and fear.

The war’s escalation has resulted in casualties in the Zaporizhzhia region, with civilians being injured due to Russian attacks. Continued strikes have caused damage to civilian targets, including the regional nuclear power plant.

Reports indicate that the Kremlin is relocating evacuees from Kursk to Zaporizhzhia, further complicating the situation in the region.

Russian attacks on civilian buildings and villages have resulted in civilian casualties, raising tensions in the affected areas.

Russian strikes in the Zaporizhzhia region have caused injuries to civilians and damage to infrastructure. The ongoing conflict has led to casualties, with reports of missile attacks on villages and civilian buildings.

NATO announced plans to establish new bodies to deliver aid to Ukraine and enhance the country’s integration into the Alliance. The establishment of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) and the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Center (JATEC) are set to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and interoperability with NATO.

Discussions between Ukrainian and US officials aim to bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership and enhance military cooperation between the two allies.