Moscow/Kyiv: Ukraine has recently achieved success with its cross-border assault into Russia’s Kursk region, now claiming control of over 80 settlements. However, battlefield dynamics remain volatile, and such victories are not consistent across all fronts. While Ukrainian forces maintain their foothold in Kursk, the situation in other regions is less favorable for them.
Russian Offensive Intensifies in Eastern Ukraine
Ukraine’s military reported heavy Russian assaults on August 20 in the Toretsk and Pokrovsk sectors of eastern Ukraine. These offensives targeted Ukrainian positions around Toretsk, particularly focusing on the settlement of Niu-York. Although the outcome of these clashes has not been fully disclosed by Ukraine, Russian sources have claimed control over Niu-York. Firstpost has been unable to independently verify these claims.
In the Pokrovsk region, Russian military efforts have escalated, with Ukrainian forces reportedly repelling 49 attacks on Tuesday alone. In addition, another 13 ongoing clashes were reported, showcasing the intensity of fighting in the area.
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Moscow Foils Ukrainian Drone Assault
Meanwhile, Russian air defenses successfully intercepted 10 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow on August 21, according to the city’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin. He described this as one of the largest drone attacks on the Russian capital to date.
“Moscow’s layered defense system has effectively repelled all UAV attacks,” Sobyanin said in a Telegram post, emphasizing that no casualties or damage had been reported.
Drone strikes on Moscow remain relatively rare, with the last major incident occurring in May, which led to temporary disruptions at two of the city’s major airports. Since the conflict’s onset in 2022, Kyiv has increasingly targeted Russia’s energy infrastructure, citing these attacks as legitimate retaliation for Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities.
