In a striking escalation, Ukraine's cross-border offensive into Russian territory, particularly in the Kursk region, has entered its fifth day. Ukrainian forces continue to press their shocking advance, forcing the Kremlin to respond with extreme measures.
Putin's Army Struggles to Counter the Invasion
Facing intense pressure, Vladimir Putin's army has deployed FAB-3000 bombs in a desperate attempt to halt the Ukrainian invasion. Despite the heavily monitored battlefield, Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to launch complex surprise attacks, according to Ziare.
Footage has emerged showing a Russian SU-34 jet dropping a bomb on Ukrainian troops as they prepared to advance into the Kursk region.
The fighting has drawn dangerously close to a nuclear power plant, prompting the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to issue a statement urging both sides to "exercise maximum restraint."
Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, called on all parties to take measures to avoid a nuclear accident with potentially severe radiological consequences.
Russian Retaliation and Casualties
Some residents of the Kursk region have been evacuated, with a group arriving at Moscow's central train station on August 9. "It's terrifying. The Ukrainians are bombing us," one resident told AFP.
In response, Moscow has deployed more troops with heavy weaponry to the Kursk region, where an anti-terror operation has been declared, as well as in neighboring Belgorod and Bryansk. These moves underscore the gravity of the situation.
Despite these efforts, Ukraine has continued its offensive, striking a military airfield deep in Russia and destroying a depot containing hundreds of glide bombs. The airfield in Lipetsk, more than 350 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, housed Russia's Su-34, Su-35, and MiG-31 warplanes.
The Russian government confirmed the attack, stating that emergency measures have been taken in the area.
In retaliation, Russia attacked a shopping center in Kostiantynivka, Ukraine, killing at least 14 people and injuring 43. This marks a significant escalation in a conflict that has already claimed numerous lives and left countless others injured.
Despite Russia's attempts to suppress the Ukrainian advance, the situation remains volatile, with both sides sustaining heavy losses.
