Ukraine has successfully destroyed a strategically significant bridge over the Seym River in Russia’s Kursk region, marking a critical development in its ongoing incursion into Russian territory. The bridge, located near the town of Glushkovo, was essential for supplying Kremlin troops, and its destruction has disrupted local logistics.
Russian officials have reported that the operation has effectively isolated part of the local district, hindering Russian military efforts in the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces are strengthening their positions in Kursk and referred to the captured territories as an “exchange fund,” suggesting they could be used as leverage for regaining Ukrainian regions currently under Russian occupation.
This cross-border operation, now in its second week, represents Ukraine’s deepest penetration into Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion over two years ago. The surprise offensive has prompted the evacuation of more than 120,000 people to safety. Despite the territorial gains, Kyiv has reiterated that it has no intention of occupying Russian lands. A senior aide to President Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak, stated that the primary objective of the incursion is to pressure Moscow into negotiating “on our own terms.”
In the Kursk region, Ukrainian forces continue to advance, with military chief Oleksandr Syrsky reporting progress of one to three kilometers in some areas. Syrsky also expressed optimism about capturing a significant number of Russian soldiers in ongoing battles near the village of Mala Loknya, close to the border.
As Ukraine’s advance persists, Russian authorities in the bordering Belgorod region have announced plans to evacuate five villages starting August 19th, in response to the escalating conflict.
However, as Ukraine pushes deeper into Russian territory, Russian forces are making parallel gains in eastern Ukraine. Moscow recently announced the capture of Serhiivka, a town strategically important for its proximity to Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub for Ukrainian forces on the eastern front. The situation in Pokrovsk remains tense, with the city’s military administration urging civilians to evacuate as Russian forces close in.
