On Sunday, Ukraine reported hitting a second crucial bridge in Russia’s Kursk region, intensifying its efforts to disrupt Moscow’s supply chains as its significant incursion into Russian territory extended into its second week.
In response, Russia has intensified its military operations in eastern Ukraine, announcing the capture of a new village near the strategically important Ukrainian logistics center of Pokrovsk.
Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk confirmed the strike on Telegram, sharing footage of a bridge explosion near Zvannoye. He emphasized that the Ukrainian Air Force continues to target enemy logistics with precision strikes.
The exact timing of the Ukrainian attack remains unclear. Oleshchuk did not specify a date, but Russian military bloggers had already posted images of the bridge’s destruction, dated Saturday.
Kyiv launched its largest assault on Russian soil since the Kremlin’s invasion in February 2022, sending troops and armored vehicles across the border on August 6. Earlier, Ukraine reported the destruction of a different bridge in Glushkovo, a neighboring town.
President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the operations in Kursk, highlighting the goal of creating a buffer zone within enemy territory. He also reiterated his plea for expedited delivery of essential military equipment from Britain, France, and the United States.
Russian Push Towards Pokrovsk
The recent bridge attacks have significantly restricted Russian crossings over the Seym River in Kursk, according to Russian military observers. Moscow has claimed that one of the destroyed bridges has complicated evacuation efforts.
In its latest briefing, the Russian defense ministry reported ongoing resistance against Ukrainian forces near several villages. Over 120,000 people have reportedly fled the region since the conflict intensified.
The Russian defense ministry announced the capture of Svyrydonivka, a settlement approximately 15 kilometers from Pokrovsk. This area is crucial for Ukrainian supply lines and has been a target for Russian forces for months.
Zelensky noted the heavy fighting, stating, “There have been dozens of attacks in just one day.” He assured that Ukrainian units are doing everything possible to hold their ground.
Pokrovsk’s military administration has advised remaining residents to evacuate as Russian forces close in on the city’s outskirts, located just over 10 kilometers away.
Earlier in the day, Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted a Russian missile attack on Kyiv, with no reported damage or casualties. The attack reportedly involved North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles.
Drone Strikes on Russian Oil Facility
In a separate development, Ukrainian drones attacked an oil storage facility in Russia’s Rostov region early Sunday, causing a significant fire. Local Governor Vasily Golubev reported that the fire at the Proletarsk facility was triggered by falling debris from the drone attack. No injuries were reported, and firefighting efforts resumed after a second drone strike temporarily halted operations.
A Ukrainian intelligence source indicated that the targeted facilities were part of Russia’s military-industrial infrastructure. Proletarsk is located about 250 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and 350 kilometers from Kyiv’s eastern front lines.
Kyiv has frequently targeted Russian oil and gas infrastructure as part of its retaliation for attacks on its own energy facilities. President Zelensky has previously commended these actions as essential for a “just end” to the conflict.
Further Developments
In Donetsk, Russian air strikes resulted in four civilian deaths and several injuries. Additionally, in Kherson, a drone attack on a car injured five individuals, according to local investigators.
