A significant battle erupted in Russia’s southweste Kursk region as around 1,000 Ukrainian troops launched a cross-border raid on August 6. The offensive was supported by tanks and armored vehicles.

Due to the intense fighting, approximately 3,000 residents were evacuated, and the region was placed under a local state of emergency.

The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed to be “continuing to destroy” Ukrainian forces using airstrikes, rockets, and artillery to repel the attack. Russia also deployed reserves to prevent deeper Ukrainian penetration into the Kursk region.

Meanwhile, Ukraine showcased a new robot dog, the “BAD One,” which may soon be deployed for dangerous missions on the front lines.

Ukrainian officials, including presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, attributed the escalation to Russia’s ongoing aggression. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Russia should experience the consequences of the war it brought to Ukraine.

While he praised the Ukrainian army, he did not directly mention the Kursk offensive in his public address.

Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, mentioned that while Russia might attend the next Kyiv-led peace summit, this should not be misconstrued as the start of formal negotiations with Moscow.

Ukraine expressed regret over Niger’s decision to sever ties with Kyiv, following a similar move by Mali.
   
In southe Russia, Ukrainian Tetiana Klyuchko was sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for allegedly participating in a “terrorist” group and attempting an act of terror in occupied Zaporizhia.

A Moscow-controlled court in the Luhansk region sentenced Ukrainian Yuriy Galetsky to 13 years in prison for espionage, accusing him of sharing information on Russian troop movements.
(colombotimes.lk)