Ukraine is currently experiencing Putin's retaliation during their Independence Day celebrations.
With Putin's stated retaliation to Ukraine's venture into the Russian territory of Kursk, Kyiv anticipates heightened aerial assaults during their Independence Day festivities. The German Foreign Office and the American Embassy have issued due alerts. Concurrently, intense clashes persist in eastern Ukraine.
The German Foreign Office cautions of potential intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine. Over the Independence Day period, they've updated their travel advisory for the nation, warning of increased possibility of rocket and aerial assaults on critical areas, particularly the capital Kyiv, as stated on their official website.
The American Embassy in Kyiv alerted on Thursday of an enhanced risk of Ukrainian air assaults. In the near future and during the weekend, there's a heightened prospect that Russia will attack Ukraine with drones and missiles, the embassy conveyed on its site.
Ukraine commemorates its 33rd year of independence from the Soviet Union on August 24th. This holiday holds increased significance for Ukrainians since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine two and a half years ago.
Ukrainian troops unpredictably breached Russian territory in the border region of Kursk recently. Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced it as a provocation and pledged an "appropriate response."
Analysts predict Putin's retribution
Russia allegedly has control over 92 settlements and beyond 1,000 square kilometers in the western Russian region of Kursk, according to their own statements. However, the Russian General Staff failed to disclose the current status of the Ukrainian advance. It was reported that the Russian air force conducted multiple airstrikes with around 20 guided bombs in the area.
Experts believe that the Kremlin is currently evaluating the possibilities for a counterattack. In such a decision, the Russian president usually takes his time. "Sooner or later, we will learn how Putin will retaliate," cautions Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Center in Berlin.
New sanctions against Moscow and aid for Kyiv
The US government has declared a comprehensive package to bolster Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russia on its Independence Day. Sanctions will be levied on approximately 400 organizations and individuals "who support Russia's illegal war," US President Joe Biden stated. Moreover, additional military assistance will be extended to Kyiv.
The new aid package, valued at approximately $125 million (around €111 million), includes, among other things, ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, artillery shells, and small arms ammunition, along with ambulances and other medical equipment, the US Department of State announced.
Hotspot on the edge of Donbass
Intense clashes persist in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces are said to have repelled numerous Russian attacks. A total of 79 Russian attacks, some with artillery and air support, were reported from the eastern Ukrainian fronts throughout the day, according to the General Staff in Kyiv.
The area around Pokrovsk on the edge of Donbass was once again the epicenter. There, Russian units attempted to fortify and expand the territorial gains they had made the previous day. Over a few hours, Ukrainian defenders in this region faced 20 attacks.
Similar intense fights were reported from the vicinity of Torez. Several attacks by Russian ground forces were repelled. Russian combat aircraft attacked Ukrainian positions and settlements with rockets. The goal of the Russian attacks is to gain complete control over the area around Donbass.
Ukraine repels Russian troops
Zelensky declared that Russian troops are gradually being pushed back from the region around the eastern Ukrainian metropolis of Kharkiv. "We are pushing the Russian army back, inch by inch," Zelensky said. "The occupier will not subjugate Kharkiv, he will not subjugate Ukraine."
Russian troops launched an offensive towards Kharkiv across the state border in May, initially proclaiming the aim of establishing a buffer zone along the border to prevent Ukrainian incursions. The Russian offensive is now considered a failure, with Ukrainian units having since regained control of larger areas.
The Kremlin's potential retaliation against Ukraine's actions in the Kursk region is a concern, especially for areas like The Donbass. Recent intense clashes in eastern Ukraine have shown that Russian forces are attempting to gain complete control over the area around Donbass, using aerial assaults and ground attacks.
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