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Today’s focus: Ukrainian military strikes hard, blowing up three major bridges over the Sem River; 3,000 Russian troops surrounded, Ukrainian military using “Big Hammer” drill bombs; Ukrainian journalist burns conscription list, helping Russian deserters; capturing 93 Russian strongholds.
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Do you remember when I previously mentioned in the program that the Ukrainian army in the Kursk region of Russia used missiles to blow up a bridge over the Sem River? The situation has now escalated, with the Ukrainian military successfully blowing up all three major bridges over this river.
Last time when I reported on the Ukrainian military blowing up the bridge over the Sem River, I didn’t realize it was part of a larger strategic plan. It wasn’t until they destroyed the remaining two bridges that the true significance unfolded. Look at this map, the Kursk region is now under Ukrainian control, with all three bridges across the river being destroyed.
Can you see the bigger picture now? This landmass of approximately 700 square kilometers clearly indicates that the Ukrainian military aims to take full control of this area as a “buffer zone”, allowing them to expand at least 50 kilometers northwest into Russian territory. At this critical moment, Putin has ordered to retake Kursk by October 1 at all costs.
Within the area surrounded by the Ukrainian military, approximately 3,000 Russian troops are completely encircled. It’s not that external Russian forces are not coming to their aid, but the Russian convoys setting up temporary pontoon bridges on the Sem River and the troops constructing bridges elsewhere are being targeted and taken out by Ukrainian attack drones.
The Ukrainian military is launching relentless attacks, coordinating strikes as swiftly as one bridge goes down, another using two JDAM-ER precision guided bombs supplied by the US Military, targeting the command headquarters of encircled Russian troops near the border.
In the 700-square-kilometer area, the Russian troops have no escape route, no command structure, and are devoid of external support in terms of weaponry and supplies. Some may consider surrendering like other Russian troops before them, but this time the odds are stacked against them, and they might face death through a viral video. A recent video circulated showing a group of Russian soldiers beheading a captured Ukrainian soldier, further enraging the Ukrainians. This group of Russian soldiers has been identified in the region, explaining the ruthless approach taken by the Ukrainian military to leave no chance for survival.
Even in the extreme circumstances of war, there is a human boundary that should not be crossed. This serves as a lesson to steer clear of ruthless allies, as seen in the actions of the Russian forces. This underscores the importance of disassociating from the Communist regime, as witnessed in the ongoing aggressions. Have you disassociated yourself yet? If not, consider taking steps to secure your future by severing ties with the Communist Party.
On August 19, the Ukrainian military announced its ongoing counteroffensive, with the potential to expand the area of occupied Russian territory twofold. Utilizing propaganda videos is proving to be an effective method to boost morale among the troops and the populace, allowing the world to witness the high spirits of the Ukrainian military. Even the Ukrainian Special Forces released a video showcasing the assault and sweep operations in the Russian Kursk region, featuring a coordinated effort with special forces and drones that rivals Hollywood’s depiction of warfare.
In my opinion, the combat readiness honed through real battlefield experience stands in stark contrast to the intense training seen elsewhere. As I’ve mentioned before, Russia has spent over two years training the strongest Ukrainian soldiers of today, allowing them to wield NATO weapons effectively in combat scenarios.
On August 20, a video was released by the Ukrainian military showing an amphibious assault brigade using a German-designed armored vehicle, destroying the Russian army’s command post in a building with a rapid-firing cannon, demonstrating the firepower of the vehicle.
Aside from targeting ground-based command structures, the Ukrainian military also employed drill bombs. On August 20, the Ukrainian Air Force Command released a video showing the launch of precision-guided drill bombs named “Big Hammer” from a Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jet, striking the underground command post of the Russian troops in the Kursk region. While on the surface, there were only a few fiery holes, the destruction underground was catastrophic.
As the Ukrainian military rapidly advances on unprepared Russian territory, even the highly touted Russian main battle tanks, T90Ms, have become spoils of war, with at least two captured by the Ukrainian forces. These tanks will be repaired and swiftly redeployed to frontline units for use in further attacks against the Russian forces.
In times of war, we often witness the heroic frontline soldiers, but the toll on equipment and supplies is tremendous. This is where a specific unit steps in to repair and maintain weapons and equipment, crucial to sustaining frontline combat capabilities. The 225th Battalion in the Kursk battle highlighted the significance of logistics in ensuring the success of any offensive operation.
Ukrainian military entering Russian territory brings with it destruction and casualties, yet surprisingly, the Ukrainian forces extended a hand to the peace-loving, anti-war Russians. A video surfaced showing a Ukrainian journalist in the occupied Kursk region destroying all records of Russians who refused conscription, guaranteeing safety for those who were against military service.
Some may question the support for draft dodgers regardless of their location, but the context seen in the recent video sheds light on the stakes involved. A conscription officer in Russia threatened an individual who inadvertently blocked his car, warning him of imminent conscription and dispatch to the frontline with a coffin.
After over two years of mobilization, both Russia and Ukraine face a shortage of troops. Conscription remains a significant challenge for both sides. Concerns linger about Ukraine’s dwindling manpower for fighting. Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Gavryliuk, posted on social media on August 19: “Following mobilization, Ukraine currently has 930,000 reservists, a number expected to exceed one million within a week.”
Latest updates: On August 20, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Serhiy revealed that Ukrainian forces have occupied approximately 1,263 square kilometers of Russian land, controlling 93 settlements. Their offensive has pushed approximately 28 to 35 kilometers into Russian defense lines. Simultaneously, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the establishment of military groups in Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions, signaling a reactive stance amid Ukraine’s advancements. Could it be that Russia anticipates losing not only the Kursk and Belgorod regions but also Bryansk? Or is there a consensus to establish a “buffer zone” with Ukraine in these three regions to avoid potential conflicts with NATO in the future?
Reflecting on the animated map detailing the Ukrainian advance into Russia from August 6 to August 13 that I shared previously, let’s now observe the latest dynamics of the Ukrainian offensive from August 14 to August 19, providing a visual understanding of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict on Russian soil.
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