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Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russia has seen troops advance further into enemy territory on Thursday.
The audacious attack by Ukrainian soldiers in tanks and armoured vehicles is the largest attack on Russia since the Second World War.
On Thursday, Ukraine’s Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said forces had moved forward almost a mile in 24 hours with 82 settlements now under Kyiv’s control.
They include the town of Sudhzha, which, with a population of 5,000, is the largest town Ukraine has seized so far in the war.
Kursk’s acting governor, Alexei Smirnov, has now ordered the evacuation of the Glushkovo region, about 28 miles northwest of Sudzha.
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky has again hinted at other possible offensive actions on Russian territory.
“We must clearly guarantee at the legislative level that our warriors, who participate, for example, in the Kursk operation and will participate in all our other actions on the territory of the aggressor state, will receive absolutely all payments and benefits designated for the front line,” he said in an address posted on Telegram.
The updates comes as it emerged that British Challenger 2 tanks were playing a crucial role in the incursion.
Ukraine’s powerful 82nd Air Assault Brigade has been operating the British tanks since last year and is confirmed to have been taking part in the Kursk offensive.
Ukraine seize largest town in Russia yet
Volodymyr Zelensky has said his troops have full control of the Russian town of Sudzha.
It is the largest town Ukraine has seized so far in the war, with a population of around 5,000, and it is home to a measuring station for Russian natural gas that flows through pipelines to Europe.
It’s another sign of the advancement into Russia since the surprise attack on 6 August.
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian forces had taken over 82 settlements since the start of the incursion, and a total area of 440 square miles (1,150 sq km).
Alex Ross15 August 2024 20:19
British tanks used to drive back Putin’s forces during Ukraine’s attack in Russia
It is the first time UK tanks operated by Ukrainian troops have been used in combat on Russian territory, and comes as the incursion into the Kursk region expands as it enters a second week.
Alex Ross15 August 2024 19:29
A US-Russian dual national has been convicted of treason in a Russian court and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine.
Ksenia Khavana was identified by Russian authorities by her maiden name of Ksenia Karelina, was arrested in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg in February and pleaded guilty in a closed trial last week, news reports said.
Khavana, a 33-year-old former ballet dancer, reportedly obtained U.S. citizenship after marrying an American and moving to Los Angeles.
She had returned to Russia to visit her family.She reportedly had her phone confiscated after arriving in Yekaterinburg in January and police found evidence on the phone of the donation.
Soon before her planned departure, she was jailed for 15 days on petty hooliganism charges and then charged with treason.
Russia’s Federal Security Service said she “proactively collected money in the interests of one of the Ukrainian organizations, which was subsequently used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons, and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.”
Alex Ross15 August 2024 18:00
Rise in entries for A-levels in Russian
Ukrainian refugees may be fuelling a rise in entries for A-level Russian, it has been suggested.
A-level exam data shows there were 1,044 entries for the subject this summer, up from 827 in 2023 – a 26% increase.
It means that entries for the subject are now at their highest level since 2018, when the number stood at 1,160.
Sir Ian Bauckham, Ofqual’s chief regulator, said: “It’s difficult to be precise about why exactly you see changes in these lesser taught languages, but I think we can all imagine that some Ukrainian refugees who came to the UK over the last couple of years – many of whom are proficient in Russian – may have chosen to enter A-level Russian, and done that using their school or college as an exam centre.
“So it’s likely that that kind of change is behind the changes that you see in entry figures for subjects like Russian.”
Teenagers who came to the UK when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 with knowledge of Russian are likely to have started A-level courses in the autumn of that year and would be receiving their results this summer – two years later, which is the usual length of an A-level course.
Alex Ross15 August 2024 17:29
Ukraine says it has set up a military office in occupied Kursk region
Ukraine’s top commander says Kyiv has set up a military commandant’s office in the occupied Kursk region of Russia.
Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian forces have taken up to 1.5km (0.93 miles) of territory in the region in the last 24 hours – and are still advancing.
Mr Syrskyi told Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a video published by the Ukrainian leader that Kyiv’s forces had advanced 35km (21.7 miles) into the Kursk region since launching its attack last week.
Alexander Butler15 August 2024 13:43
The Ukraine incursion has called Putin’s bluff – and rightly damaged his reputation
Alexander Butler15 August 2024 13:00
Ukraine is ‘provoking and poking’ Russia to use nuclear weapons, Russian MP says
A Russian MP has insisted that the Ukraine is ‘provoking and poking’ her country to use ominous nuclear weapons threats.
Maria Butina appeared on Newsnight, insisting that Ukraine’s goal was to “escalate the conflict”, and that any ‘captured’ Russian territory would quickly be taken back.
“Russia will do everything to protect its territory”, she said. “They’re attacking nuclear plants…yes, they’re provoking a nuclear conflict..they have no understanding of what it’s going to be.”
“By trying to get PR points from the West, they actually put in danger the whole world.”
Ukraine is ‘provoking and poking’ Russia to use nuclear weapons, Russian MP says
A Russian MP has insisted that the Ukraine is ‘provoking and poking’ her country to use ominous nuclear weapons threats. Maria Butina appeared on Newsnight, insisting that Ukraine’s goal was to “escalate the conflict”, and that any ‘captured’ Russian territory would quickly be taken back. “Russia will do everything to protect its territory”, she said. “They’re attacking nuclear plants…yes, they’re provoking a nuclear conflict..they have no understanding of what it’s going to be.” “By trying to get PR points from the West, they actually put in danger the whole world.”
Alexander Butler15 August 2024 12:30
UK ministry of defence statement on British tanks in Russia
“There has been no change in UK government policy, under Article 51 of the UN Charter Ukraine has a clear right of self-defence against Russia’s illegal attacks, that does not preclude operations inside Russia.
“We make clear during the gifting process that equipment is to be used in line with international law.”
Alexander Butler15 August 2024 11:52
Russia sentences ballerina to 12 years in jail for donating £40 to charity
A Russian-American ballerina has been jailed for 12 years in Russia for donating £40 to a charity supporting Ukraine.
Ksenia Karelina pleaded guilty at her closed trial in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, where her case was heard by the same court that convicted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich of espionage in July.
Her supporters say she had donated £40 to Razom for Ukraine, a New York-based charity that provides humanitarian aid to children and elderly people in Ukraine
Alexander Butler15 August 2024 11:07
Russia sends forces of its Eastern military district to Mongolia for drills
Russia has sent forces of its Eastern military district to Mongolia to participate in joint drills, state news agency TASS said on Thursday, quoting the defence ministry.
Moscow, currently fighting a 10-day-old incursion by Ukrainian forces into western Russia, has continued to stage joint military exercises with foreign partners throughout the Ukraine war.
Alexander Butler15 August 2024 10:30
