- Zelensky advocates for striking Russian airbases.
After the latest Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, President Zelenskyy has reiterated his plea to the West for approval to launch assaults beyond Russian borders. Zelenskyy stated in a nightly video message that the Russian airstrikes could only be stopped by striking Russian military airfields deep in enemy territory and disrupting Russian terror's logistics.
To accomplish this, Ukrainian officials are discussing with their American counterparts in Washington. According to Ukrainian news sources, the U.S. has been given a list of potential targets for these Ukrainian strikes using long-range weapons made in the U.S. or other Western nations.
"Clearing Ukrainian skies of Russian guided bombs is a crucial step to force Russia to seek an end to the conflict and a fair peace," Zelenskyy said. In Kharkiv alone, six people were killed and 99 injured in a Russian airstrike that hit a multi-story apartment building, according to recent Ukrainian reports. "And that's just Kharkiv, and this is just one day of Russian attacks," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Zelenskyy appealed to the U.S., UK, France, and Germany, saying, "We must be able to properly and fully protect Ukraine and the Ukrainian people." He added, "We need authorization for long-range attacks and your long-range missiles and rockets."
So far, the Western allies have denied Ukraine permission to attack targets within Russian territory with the heavy weapons provided. As a result, the Ukrainian military is planning to attack these targets using domestic combat drones, although their explosive power is limited.
Ukraine is eagerly waiting for additional air defense systems
Ahead of the new school year, Ukraine is urgently waiting for the promised additional air defense systems. Zelenskyy said they are necessary "to provide more security to our Ukrainian children in schools, our cities, and our energy sector." He is hoping for immediate implementation of previously agreed arrangements, but did not provide specifics.
Several clashes along the eastern Ukrainian frontlines
There have been numerous skirmishes between Ukrainian defenders and Russian attackers along the eastern frontlines in Ukraine. According to the General Staff in Kyiv, there were a total of 109 armed conflicts throughout the day.
Once again, the focus of the fighting was in the vicinity of the city of Pokrovsk on the outskirts of Donbass. There, Russian units launched 23 attacks with artillery support against the Ukrainian defense lines, which were reportedly repelled. Russian attacks were also reported in the vicinity of the nearby village of Kuracheve. However, these reports could not be independently verified.
Heavy Russian artillery shelling shook the region of Sumy, with at least 15 different settlements reportedly under attack. Sumy is where the supply lines for Ukrainian troops operating in the Russian Kursk region run. There were no updates from the Ukrainian side on the progress of this offensive.
Massive Russian artillery attacks were also reported in the Ukrainian-occupied city of Sudja in the Kursk region. The Russian military is destroying its own city, where around 200 of the initial 5,000 residents remain, Ukrainian media reported. "Even though Sudja is already behind the front lines, the Russians are flattening the city," Unian news agency reported. Ukraine has declared Sudja the headquarters for its command in the Kursk region.
The partners, namely the U.S., UK, France, and Germany, are being appealed to by President Zelenskyy for authorization to launch long-range attacks. Ukrainian officials are currently discussing potential targets with their American counterparts.
