Ukrainian forces claim destruction of second Russian bridge

The Ukrainian forces on Sunday, August 18, 2024, announced that it destroyed a second strategic bridge within a week, continuing its incursion into Russia’s Kursk region.

The Ukrainian military shared aerial footage of a strike on a Seym River bridge in Zvannoe on August 18, 2024.

Ukrainian Air Force commander Lt Gen Mykola Oleschuk posted on social media, “Minus one more bridge.”

Ukraine is now nearly two weeks into its largest attack on Russian territory since Moscow began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Gen Oleschuk added: “Ukrainian Air Force aviation continues to deprive the enemy of logistical capabilities with precision airstrikes, which significantly affects the course of hostilities.”

Earlier last week, Ukraine destroyed another bridge over the Seym River near Glushkovo.

The Kremlin used that bridge to supply its troops.

Military analysts had previously identified three bridges in the area Russia used to supply its forces.

Furthermore, they reported that they had either destroyed or seriously damaged two.

Ukrainian President Zelensky on August 17, 2024, announced that troops were reinforcing Kursk and advancing deeper into Russia.

In a Sunday evening speech, he said their Kursk operation kept causing losses to Russia’s army, defense, and economy.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, Zelensky’s adviser, stated Ukraine seeks negotiation, not occupation, to persuade Russia to join talks.

Moscow called the incursion a major provocation and vowed to retaliate with a “worthy response.”

As Ukraine advances west, Russian forces gain ground in eastern Ukraine, capturing several villages recently.

Is the Zaporizhzhia water plant safe?

The UN nuclear watchdog warned that safety at the Zaporizhzhia power plant worsened after a drone strike near the site.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), urged “maximum restraint” and voiced “extreme concern” to protect the plant.

The agency reported the strike hit a road outside the facility, near water sprinklers, and 100 meters from the high-voltage line.

Russia seized the plant early in the war, and it has come under repeated attacks, with both sides blaming each other.

Last week, Kyiv and Moscow traded blame after a fire broke out in one of the plant’s cooling towers.

The IAEA didn’t identify who was behind the strike, but a drone carrying an explosive likely caused the damage.

The team reported hearing frequent explosions, heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and artillery at various distances from the plant.

The plant has not produced power in over two years, and all six reactors have been in cold shutdown since April.

In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and is now slowly seizing more territory in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian troops surprised Russian forces by entering the Kursk region, where they had been regrouping for two weeks.

Authorities have evacuated thousands of Russians from the area.

This marks the first time foreign troops have been on Russian soil since World War Two.

Reasons for the Russo-Ukrainian War

The Russo-Ukrainian War, which intensified in 2022 when Russia fully invaded Ukraine, has complex roots, but several key factors stand out:

1. Historical Tensions:

There has long been historical tension between Russia and Ukraine, dating back to the Soviet era and even earlier.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left lingering issues regarding national identity, borders, and historical grievances.

2. Geopolitical Ambitions:

Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, has expressed a desire to reassert its influence over former Soviet states.

Russia saw Ukraine’s move towards closer ties with Western institutions like the European Union and NATO as a threat to its sphere of influence.

3. Annexation of Crimea (2014):

Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, which followed Ukraine’s Euromaidan protests and the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, traces the conflict’s roots.

Internationally, people widely condemned this move, which led to ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, where Moscow supported pro-Russian separatists.

4. Russian Security Concerns:

Russia has expressed concerns over NATO’s eastward expansion and Ukraine’s aspirations to join the alliance.

Moscow views this as a direct threat to its national security and regional influence.

5. Internal Ukrainian Dynamics:

Ukraine’s internal politics and its struggle between pro-European and pro-Russian factions also played a role.

The 2022 invasion followed years of simmering conflict and political instability within Ukraine.

The invasion in February 2022 marked a dramatic escalation of these tensions, leading to widespread international condemnation and significant humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical impacts.

Zaporizhzhia water plant

The water plant is a significant facility in Ukraine. It plays a crucial role in providing clean water to the region.

Located in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, it serves a large population, ensuring they have access to safe drinking water.

The plant uses advanced technology to treat water from the Dnieper River, removing impurities and making it suitable for consumption.

Its operation is vital for public health and the overall well-being of the community.

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