Continued Strikes and Strategic Aims
As its military action in Russia’s Kursk area continues, Ukraine has declared the damage of a second key bridge within a week. The Ukrainian military published an aerial video of the most recent strike on a bridge across the Seym River in Zvannoe. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the goals of this military operation include establishing a “buffer zone” to stop more Russian invasions.
“We are almost two weeks into our strongest attack on Russian territory since the start of the invasion in 2022,” Zelensky added. He underlined that the operation seeks to create a defensive buffer on Russian territory, reducing the likelihood of future attacks.
Destruction of Key Infrastructure
Sharing a video of the recent strike, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lt Gen Mykola Oleschuk said on social media, “Minus one more bridge.” “Ukrainian Air Force aviation continues to deprive the enemy of logistical capabilities with precision airstrikes, which greatly influences the course of hostilities,” he said.
The video shows a big plume of smoke emerging from the damaged bridge. The precise striking timing is unknown. Ukraine wrecked another bridge over the Seym River earlier this week close to the Glushkova village. This bridge was vital for supplying Russian forces.
Military experts had already found three critical bridges Russia exploited for logistical purposes in the region. Two of these bridges, allegedly, have been either wholly demolished or seriously damaged, therefore upsetting Russian supply lines.
Ukrainian Expansion and Strategic Goals
About two weeks into their border campaign, Ukrainian soldiers seem dedicated to strengthening their hold on Kursk. President Zelensky said that Ukrainian soldiers are strengthening their positions and advancing farther. “Our activity in the Kursk region is still causing losses on the Russian army and the Russian state, their defense industry, and their economy,” he said in an evening speech.
Zelensky underlined that the goal transcends simple defense. “We want to do maximum counteroffensive actions and destroy as much Russian war potential as possible,” he stated. This covers “creating a buffer zone on the aggressor’s territory” to stop any upcoming Russian strikes on Ukraine.
Advisor to President Zelensky, Mykhaylo Podolyak, reiterated that Ukraine intends to inspire Russia to negotiate and not invade Russian territory. Moscow, meanwhile, has pledged a “worthy response” and called the intrusion a considerable provocation.
Escalation at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
Relatedly, the director of the UN’s nuclear inspector has voiced worries about worsening safety circumstances at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia power facility. Following a drone strike close to the edge of the plant, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), advocated “maximum restraint from all sides”.
According to the IAEA, the hit affected a road immediately outside the facility—not far from important water sprinkler ponds—about 100 meters from the last remaining high-voltage wire. Early in the war, Russian troops captured the factory, which had undergone numerous attacks from both sides. Following a fire in one of the plant’s cooling towers last week, Kyiv and Moscow swapped allegations.
The IAEA did not say who executed the most recent hit, but its on-site team noted that a drone carrying an explosive seemed to be responsible for the damage seen. The agency said, “The team has heard frequent explosions, repetitive heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and artillery at various distances from the plant.”
Broader Impact and Historical Context
Having all six reactors in cold shutdown since April, the Zaporizhzhia facility has been dormant for more than two years for electricity generation. Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022; although recent attempts to grab more land in eastern Ukraine have been sluggish, the attack on Kursk marks a significant escalation.
Foreign forces on Russian territory represent a historical first not seen in World War II. With both sides suffering significant losses and continuous territory disputes, the battle shows no signs of stopping as Ukrainian forces go on with their operations and Russian soldiers confront defeats.
