Ukraine: realities | «The Weekly Five»: 05.08 – 11.08
ISW: The Kremlin Downplays the Scale of Events in the Kursk Region
The Kremlin likely decided to declare a counterterrorism operation instead of martial law to downplay the scale of the invasion in the Kursk region and prevent panic or negative reactions within the country.
This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The Russian authorities also demonstrate reluctance to take more radical measures in response to the situation.
The Russian opposition publication "Verstka" reported that a source close to the Defense Committee of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation stated that the Russian presidential administration recommended that Russian deputies and senators not comment on the events in the Kursk region "until further notice" or discuss them as briefly as possible, referring only to official statements.
Russian military bloggers suggested that the Kremlin officially declare war on Ukraine and criticized the Kremlin for not declaring martial law instead of a counterterrorism operation.
The declaration of martial law, in particular, would allow the Russian authorities to take more radical measures, such as banning rallies and demonstrations, imposing a curfew, and organizing the production of defense products for the military. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has refrained from officially declaring a state of war, repeatedly showing his reluctance to fully convert Russian society to a war footing and avoiding general mobilization to prevent internal discontent that could threaten the stability of the Putin regime.
The U.S. Transfers a New Aid Package to Ukraine Worth $125 Million
The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Friday, August 9, that the provision of additional military aid to Ukraine was worth up to $125 million.
The new American aid package is allocated under the U.S. President’s Drawdown Authority (PDA) program, meaning directly from the stockpiles, and is already the sixty-third such tranche.
It includes ammunition for HIMARS systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, Stinger missiles, Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank systems, and TOW-guided missiles.
The Pentagon also mentions multi-purpose radar systems, multi-purpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs), small arms ammunition, explosive munitions, "equipment for protecting critical national infrastructure," and spare parts.
"The United States will continue to work together with approximately 50 member countries and partners of the Alliance to provide Ukraine's brave defenders with the critically needed means to combat Russian aggression," emphasized the U.S. Department of Defense.
ISW: Ukrainian Forces Achieved Operational Surprise with Actions in the Kursk Region
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War suggest that the lack of a coordinated Russian response to the Ukrainian invasion of the Kursk region and the speed of the advance indicate that Ukrainian forces achieved operational surprise.
The Ukrainian cross-border mechanized offensive operation in the Kursk region, which began on August 6, continues as part of Ukraine's operational efforts on Russian territory.
"ISW will not assess the intentions of this Ukrainian operation to avoid compromising Ukraine's operational security."
As noted by the analysts, the Kremlin will almost certainly try to reclaim the Russian territory in the Kursk region seized by Ukrainian forces and halt Ukrainian activity, as a significant Ukrainian advance deep into Russia would be a strategic blow to the years-long efforts of Russian leader Vladimir Putin aimed at consolidating the narratives of so-called "Russian stability, security, and geopolitical revival."
State Department: Ukraine Did Not Warn About Actions in Kursk, They Do Not Violate U.S. Policy
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the U.S. had not received any warnings from Ukraine about any operations in the Kursk region of Russia.
Miller confirmed that the U.S. had not received warnings about possible operations on Russian territory, adding that "there is nothing unusual about Ukraine not informing us of its exact tactics before implementing them."
"This is a war they are fighting. We provide them with the means and advise them. But when it comes to daily tactics, when it comes to daily strikes, sometimes we communicate with them, sometimes we don’t. And it is appropriate for them to make the corresponding decisions themselves," he noted.
The State Department spokesman also evasively answered the question of whether the alleged actions of Ukrainian forces in Kursk violate the U.S. ban on strikes with American weapons on Russian territory, emphasizing that Washington's policy in this regard has not changed.
Russia Strikes a Shopping Center in Kostyantynivka: 14 Dead, 44 Injured
In Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, the clearing of rubble after the Russian strike that occurred on August 9 has been completed: according to final data, 14 people were killed and 44 were injured.
"Kostyantynivka: the clearing of the rubble of the shopping center has been completed. Rescue workers from the State Emergency Service cleared 76 tons of construction debris at the work site.
As a result of yesterday's Russian shelling, 14 people were killed and 44 were injured.
Of the 8 unidentified bodies, police criminologists identified 5: three women and two children – girls born in 2012 and 2014. Three people remain to be identified," reported Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko.
The project «Ukraine: realities» is implemented by the News agency «Konkurent» together with the Civic Movement «SVIDOMI» in English for readers from other countries to tell to tell about current news and events in Ukraine.
Проєкт «Ukraine: realities» реалізовується Інформаційним агентством «Конкурент» спільно з Громадянським Рухом «СВІДОМІ» на англійській мові для читачів з інших країн аби розповісти про актуальні новини та події в Україні.