Russia said Thursday its army had recaptured 10 settlements in its Kursk border region, where Ukraine last month launched a major incursion, seizing dozens of settlements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conceded Russia had launched its own counterattack in the region but insisted that the shock Ukrainian assault was still going to plan. Read our liveblog to see how the day's events unfolded.
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Summary:
- President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that Russian troops had started counteroffensive actions in the Russian western Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a major incursion on August 6.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that he and his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski had discussed ways that Washington can further support Poland's transition away from Russian energy.
- Ukraine's air force said it had shot down 44 out of 64 drones launched by Russia overnight. Russian forces also used five missiles in the attacks, the air force said on Telegram.
Yesterday's key developments:
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Blinken and his British counterpart David Lammy made a rare joint trip to Ukraine to discuss further easing rules on firing Western weapons into Russia, whose alleged acquisition of Iranian missiles has raised new fears.
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Russia and Iran dismissed reports that Tehran had shipped missiles to Russia. The Kremlin also threatened to roll out "an appropriate response" if Washington allowed Kyiv to use US long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russian territory.
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The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 20 out of 25 Russia-launched drones overnight. Russian forces also used nine missiles in the attack, the air force added in a statement via Telegram.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP & Reuters)
