Did you miss the latest developments in the war in Ukraine? 20 Minutes recaps the key events every evening. From significant statements and frontline advances to battle updates, here’s what you need to know about Thursday, August 8, the 897th day of the conflict.
The Highlight of the Day
Russian forces are still facing a major incursion by Ukrainian troops in the border region of Kursk, an unexpected setback for Russia, whose army had previously held the advantage on the front lines. While official Russian communications remain reassuring—regional authorities mentioned a “stable and under control” situation on Thursday—military experts paint a more alarming picture. The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported in its latest update that the Ukrainians had advanced up to 10 kilometers deep, crossing “at least two Russian defensive lines.” The Telegram channel Rybar, close to the Russian military, claimed that Ukrainian forces had also made progress toward the city of Korenevo, more than 25 kilometers from the border.
Ukrainian military observers’ Telegram channels shared unverified drone footage showing what appears to be Russian soldiers surrendering. The Russian army, which has not directly confirmed any Ukrainian advances, initially claimed on Tuesday to have forced Kyiv’s troops to “retreat.”
The Number of the Day: 15
The Russian prosecutor’s office has requested a 15-year prison sentence for Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American national, who is being tried behind closed doors for “high treason” in Yekaterinburg, in the Urals, according to Russian news agencies. Ksenia Karelina, 33, is accused of providing financial support to a group backing Ukraine, her lawyer Mikhail Mushailov stated. Russian media reported that she transferred approximately $50 to a pro-Ukrainian organization in the early days of the Kremlin’s assault on Ukraine in February 2022. In court, she pleaded guilty.
The Quote of the Day
These are the words of the Ukrainian embassy in Mexico, which, in a statement, asked the Mexican government to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he attends the inauguration of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on October 1. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Putin in March 2023, accusing him of war crimes for the deportation of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.
The Ukrainian embassy in Mexico called the Russian president a “war criminal,” reminding that Mexico is a signatory to the Rome Statute, the international treaty that established the ICC, which stipulates that it is the “duty of every state to submit to its criminal jurisdiction those responsible for international crimes.”
The Trend of the Day
They are stealthy and agile. These are the “BAD One” robot dogs deployed by Kyiv to relieve Ukrainian soldiers from dangerous missions. Low to the ground and thus hard to detect, these robots can inspect enemy trenches or the interiors of buildings in combat zones using thermal imaging. They are useful for detecting mines or improvised explosive devices and can also deliver ammunition or medical supplies to hotspots on the battlefield. If immobilized or captured, these “canines” are equipped with an emergency switch that erases all stored data.
These robot dogs could become a valuable asset for the Ukrainian army, which has been struggling with manpower shortages in its nearly two-and-a-half-year battle to repel the Russian invasion. Moreover, this robot dog also comes in a more advanced version, “BAD Two,” which has not yet been shown for security reasons.
“This dog reduces risks for soldiers and increases operational capabilities. A dog that costs a few thousand dollars can take on a task that would otherwise require a lot of equipment, communication systems, and at least three to five soldiers,” explains Iouri, a specialist from a British company developing military solutions. “I can’t say how many we’ve deployed, nor where they’re deployed in Ukraine, just that, in the end, they save lives,” Iouri adds, noting that “the war in Ukraine has changed the way wars are fought around the world.”
