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Latest news on the Ukraine war in the live ticker: Ukraine continues its advance towards Kursk. Putin is planning an early liberation, but the pressure is growing.
Update from August 20, 10:15 p.m.: According to the US Department of Defense, Russia is having difficulty responding to the Ukrainian counter-offensive in the western Russian region of Kursk. There are signs that Moscow is moving a small number of units into the area, said Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder in Washington. “In general, however, I would say that Russia is having a really hard time responding.” Ukraine has “clearly put its opponent under pressure,” stressed Ryder. Ukrainian forces are therefore continuing to advance into the area.
When asked whether Washington publicly supported the Ukrainians’ move, Ryder did not answer directly, but referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He said that the aim was to create a buffer zone, the US spokesman explained. Talks with Kiev are continuing to learn more about the exact goals. However, like a Pentagon spokeswoman the day before, Ryder stressed that the Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kursk does not change the US’s support for Kiev.
Transparency notice
The information processed here comes from international media and news agencies, but also from the warring parties Ukraine and Russia. The information on the war in Ukraine cannot be independently verified.
Update from August 20, 8:31 p.m.: According to official reports, a teenager was killed by Russian shelling in southern Ukraine. Three other minors were injured. “The enemy shot directly into a children’s cafe,” wrote the governor of Zaporizhia, Ivan Fedorov, on his Telegram channel. The 15-year-old died in the emergency room from the consequences of his injuries, the prosecutor’s office later announced. The other minor victims were between 11 and 17 years old. An 18-year-old was also injured, it is said.
The impact occurred in the settlement of Malokaterynovka south of Zaporizhia. The village is only about 30 kilometers from the front line.
Kursk Region: Russia summons high-ranking US representative
Update from August 20, 6:29 p.m.: The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned a high-ranking representative of the US Embassy in Moscow due to media reports from Ukrainian-occupied areas in the Russian border region of Kursk. As the ministry announced, on Tuesday it expressed its “strong protest against the provocative actions of American reporters” who “illegally entered the Kursk region” to the US Embassy’s deputy head of mission, Stephanie Holmes.
In its statement posted on Telegram, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused the reporters of the US media in question of reporting “in a propaganda style about the crimes of the Kiev regime” in Kursk. As a result, “necessary investigative steps” are planned to bring the media representatives to justice.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also criticized the alleged “involvement” of private military companies from the USA, suggesting that US mercenaries were involved in the Ukrainian military operation in Kursk. This clearly proves that the USA is a “direct participant in the conflict”. Russia regularly accuses the West of supporting the Ukrainian army with mercenaries.
A burnt-out Russian army tank in Sudzha, Kursk. © Yan Dobronosov/AFP
Despite budget dispute: Scholz guarantees Ukraine further military aid
Update from August 20, 4:37 p.m.: Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected the claim that Germany wants to reduce its support for Ukraine, which is threatened by Russia. In the Sat.1 program “:newstime Spezial” entitled “Where does Germany stand?” he stressed that this commitment is “not at all” in danger of wavering. The current discussion surprises him.
For next year, the German government has earmarked military aid of four billion euros – the highest amount of any European country. In addition, Ukraine will receive a loan of 50 billion euros following a decision by the G7 states. The interest on this loan will be covered by the income from Russian state assets. With these funds, Ukraine can then independently purchase the appropriate weapons for its defense, said Scholz.
Russia apparently takes over railway junction in Donetsk
Update from August 20, 2:27 p.m.: Russian troops have apparently succeeded in capturing the Niu-Jork railway junction in eastern Ukraine. This was reported by the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow on Tuesday. In addition, a large Ukrainian unit was destroyed during the advances in the Donetsk region. Ukraine did not confirm the reports, but reported heavy fighting in the Toretsk sector, which includes Niu-Jork.
First report from August 20th: Moscow – The Ukrainian offensive in Kursk is causing the Kremlin a major headache. The advance continues: According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky, the Ukrainian army has captured more than 100 towns in the Russian border region. Apparently, Russia’s ruler Vladimir Putin has now set his military a deadline for the “liberation” of Kursk.
Tanks, drones, air defense: weapons for Ukraine
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Russia orders after Kursk advance “Liberation” of border region
The Ukrainian news agency RBC Ukraine reported, citing informed sources, that Putin had ordered the Russian army to clear the border region of Ukrainian troops by October 1 at the latest. At the same time, according to the sources, he apparently demanded that Russian soldiers be prevented from withdrawing from key areas in Donbass. Recently there were reports that the Russian army had sent troops from Ukraine to Kursk to defend the region.
RBC Ukraine According to Putin, this is to prevent the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine from losing its intensity. His troops are advancing there: the cities of Pokrovsk and Toretsk are the particular focus of attacks by Putin’s troops.
Kursk advance in Ukraine war: Kremlin sends soldiers from Ukraine
The report also states that the Kremlin is gathering troops from various directions and sending them to Kursk to prevent further advances by the Ukrainians. According to the report, troops from Zaporizhia, Kherson and Uhledar were gathered and transported to Kursk.
Vladimir Putin’s Foreign Minister rejects negotiations with Kyiv from
While Kiev could hope to gain a better negotiating position through the counter-offensive, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is being stubborn. According to Moscow, he no longer wants to negotiate. “The president has said very clearly that after the attacks, or more precisely the invasion in the Kursk region, began, there can be no talk of negotiations,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Russian state television on the sidelines of Putin’s visit to Azerbaijan. Putin will also give an assessment of the situation shortly, Lavrov announced.
Reports of contacts between the warring parties established by intermediaries such as Qatar or Turkey are nothing more than rumors, Lavrov continued.
Interactive Cards on the situation at the Front in war
The action on the battlefield in Ukraine remains dynamic. Vladimir Putin’s troops are pushing westward along the front, while Ukrainian defenders are trying to contain the advances. Our current maps of the front lines in the Ukraine war provide an insight into the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine. (bb)
