Published at 4:37 a.m. EDT on August 12, 2023, and updated at 11:12 a.m. EDT, Russian air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed two missiles aimed at the Crimean Bridge, while also preventing a drone attack in the same area, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. The bridge, a vital link between Russia and the illegally annexed region of Crimea, had temporarily suspended traffic due to the incident.
In addition, Russia reported countering 20 drones that were swarming over the Crimean Peninsula, marking the third consecutive day of thwarting such attacks. The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of escalating drone attacks on Moscow and Crimea, placing blame on Ukraine for the drones and the downed missiles. While Kyiv has not officially claimed responsibility for these attacks, Ukrainian officials have recently hinted at the possibility of daily attacks on Moscow.
The head of Crimea, appointed by Russia, confirmed that there was no significant damage or casualties resulting from the bridge incident, contradicting Russia’s Defense Ministry’s report of downing two missiles. Unverified footage depicted smoke rising from the bridge, which has faced previous attacks, including drone boats in July and a truck explosion in October.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that 14 drones were shot down over Crimea overnight, with the rest being blocked by their electronic warfare systems. No casualties or major damage were reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took decisive action against corruption by firing all heads of regional military recruitment centers. Zelensky stated that accusations such as bribery and illegal transportation of individuals across the border to avoid military draft prompted this move. Last week, Zelensky described the malfeasance discovered during an audit of the centers as “disgusting.”
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on four members of Alfa Group’s board, one of Russia’s leading financial and investment giants. These targets include Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven, who have been battling against European Union and British sanctions imposed during the war. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo warned wealthy Russian elites that they can no longer conduct business as usual.
After being affected by the ongoing war, the southern port city of Odessa has reopened its beaches, implementing safety measures such as mandatory protective mesh fences against explosives in swimming areas. Beachgoers are not permitted during air alerts. The governor of Odessa, Oleg Kiper, expressed his wishes for a peaceful and sunny weekend.
Tragically, an elderly woman lost her life due to shelling in Ukraine’s Kupyansk, with the regional governor, Oleh Synyehubov, blaming Russian forces for intensifying attacks. Authorities in Kupyansk ordered the evacuation of civilians in response.
In Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, a police officer was killed and several individuals, including four officers, were injured when an aerial bomb struck the town of Orikhiv. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko provided this update.
Andriy Yusov, spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence, expressed concerns about the increased distance between Moscow residents and security in the wake of recent attempted drone attacks. He suggested that an uptick in attacks should be expected.
In Russia’s Kaliningrad region, a Russian Su-30 fighter plane crashed, resulting in the loss of the crew’s lives. A technical malfunction during a training flight was cited as the cause of the crash.
Reporters from The Washington Post highlight tensions between Ukraine and Poland over grain imports as a sign of war exhaustion. Despite Poland’s strong support for Ukraine, the two countries are engaged in a dispute regarding the importation of grain from Ukraine. This issue arises due to a provision in an EU-brokered deal that allows Poland to ban imports in order to protect its farmers.
Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasized the importance of the Black Sea grain deal during a conversation with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. Russia’s withdrawal from the UN-backed agreement has disrupted the safe export of grain from Ukraine through the Black Sea, causing concerns for countries facing food insecurity. The World Food Program reported that 48% of people in Zambia are unable to meet their minimum calorie requirements.
Zelensky’s decision to dismiss military recruitment center chiefs is part of a broader effort to combat corruption, particularly within the military. However, critics argue that this campaign is primarily aimed at appeasing Western allies and has not targeted corruption at the highest levels.
Contributor: Natalia Abbakumova.
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