KYIV: The Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday accused Ukraine of using US-made HIMARS rockets to strike a bridge in the Kursk region, while Ukrainian forces reported significant advances in their incursion into Russian territory and successful interceptions of Russian drones.
The spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, claimed on Telegram that Ukrainian forces had for the first time used Western-supplied rocket launchers, specifically US-made HIMARS, to target a strategic bridge over the Seym River in the Glushkovo district of Kursk.
According to Zakharova, the attack resulted in the complete destruction of the bridge and the deaths of volunteers who were assisting in evacuating civilians from the area.
The Kursk region, located near the Russian-Ukrainian border, has been a hotspot of recent military activity as the conflict between the two nations continues unabated.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported a successful defence against a separate aerial threat. On Saturday, Ukraine’s air force announced that its defences had intercepted and shot down all 14 drones launched by Russian forces overnight. The Ukrainian Air Force’s statement indicated that the drones were downed over six regions in the south and central parts of Ukraine.
Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported notable advances by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. Since initiating an incursion into Russian territory 11 days ago, Ukrainian troops have reportedly advanced between 1 and 3 kilometers in some areas. Ukrainian officials claim to have gained control of 82 settlements, covering a total area of approximately 1,150 square kilometers as of August 6.
The conflicting reports from both sides highlight the challenges of verifying battlefield claims. Reuters has yet to independently corroborate the details of either the Russian or Ukrainian assertions regarding recent events.
Russia has condemned the incursion and accused Western nations of encouraging and supporting Ukraine’s actions. Russian officials have labeled the Ukrainian ground offensive as a “terrorist invasion,” maintaining that such moves will not alter the trajectory of the ongoing war.
The United States has reiterated its stance against allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to emerge victorious in the conflict he initiated in February 2022. US officials have suggested that the use of American weaponry by Ukraine, including the HIMARS systems, is justified as a defensive measure against Russian aggression.
