Victory Chronicles-DAY 896

A border breach occurred on the Ukrainian-Russian border from the Kursk region of Russia. Ukrainian troops reportedly entered the Russian region, causing panic in Russia. This border breach differs from previous attacks, as it appears to be a more serious and strategic move by the Ukrainian armed forces. While attacks in the past may have been aimed at diverting Russian attention from the occupation of Ukrainian lands, the current situation seems to have a different goal. The Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed the escalation and has pulled reserves to the border, indicating that significant forces are being concentrated on the Ukrainian side. However, the Ukrainian side has not confirmed its involvement in the attack on the Kursk region. It is worth noting that the events on the border do not involve fighters from the Russian Volunteer Corps, according to sources cited by NV.

Russian military bloggers are claiming that the situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border is tense, suggesting that a stronger attack may be imminent. Ukraine has reported destroying a Russian helicopter and capturing Russian soldiers. Sudzha, a town near the border, appears to be the main target, although Russian border breakthroughs have been observed in other areas, including the Belgorod region. In the evening, the Russian military announced a new ground attack in a similar direction. While Russian sources are providing updates on the situation, Ukrainian networks and officials have remained relatively silent.

Over 20,000 applications have been submitted to the “I Want to Find” project, which helps locate Russian soldiers missing during the fighting in Ukraine. The campaign, launched in 2024, has received a total of 20,098 requests. So far, the project has successfully located 588 individuals, including 533 prisoners of war and 55 soldiers who were killed in action. Some of the prisoners have already been repatriated through a prisoner-of-war exchange. In July alone, 12 servicemen were confirmed as prisoners of war, and their families were informed that they would have the opportunity to see them via video. The Unified Search Center for Russian servicemen “Wanted” was initiated by the Ukrainian government to facilitate the exchange of prisoners of war. 

Five people have been rescued from the wreckage of a residential building in Kharkiv, which was hit by a Russian missile strike. The attack took place in the central part of the city on August 6, causing damage to the building and injuring a total of eight civilians, including an 8-month-old baby. The State Emergency Service reported the incident on Facebook, stating that they were able to rescue five individuals from the rubble.

Activist Serhiy Sternenko has released a video of the fighting taking place in the border area of the Kursk region of Russia. The video shows the downing of a Russian Mi-28 helicopter using an FPV drone.

Russian Security Council Secretary and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu heavily overexaggerated Russian advances in Ukraine since mid-June 2024. Shoigu stated on August 6 that Russian forces have seized 420 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since June 14, 2024, when Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined his uncompromising demands for Ukraine’s capitulation as a prerequisite for “peace” negotiations in Ukraine.

ISW has observed evidence confirming that Russian forces have seized approximately 290 square kilometers since June 14. Russian forces increased the intensity of their assaults in the Toretsk direction on the night of June 18 after being generally inactive in this sector of the front throughout 2024.

ISW has not observed large or operationally significant Russian gains in the Toretsk or Avdiivka direction since July 14, although Russian forces have made tactical gains in these directions since July 14. The Russian military command has repeatedly exaggerated Russian territorial advances in Ukraine.

23-year-old defender Ivan Udodik, with the call sign Mazai, died on September 18, 2023 near the village of Robotyno, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. While performing a combat mission, he was fatally wounded as a result of an enemy mortar attack.

Ivan was born in Berezne, Rivne Oblast, and lived in the village of Zirne. He studied landscape design at a college. He worked for some time in his specialty, then mostly as a laborer. He was fond of drawing and graphic design.

During the full-scale Russian invasion, the man joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 117th separate mechanized brigade. He was a combat medic of a reconnaissance company. He received his call sign because he always took care of animals.

“My brother was a brave man. He went to defend his country and family, leaving behind his own dreams and desires. He chose to save human lives on the battlefield, because life is the most valuable thing we have. But, unfortunately, he did not save his own. He was good-natured, caring and left behind only bright memories,” said Maria Udodik.

The fighter was buried in the village of Zirne, Rivne Oblast. Ivan is survived by his parents and sister.

*Ivan’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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