Russia's Alleged Execution of Soldiers and Escalation of Offensive: An Update on the Latest in Ukraine
Amidst ongoing battles in Avdiivka and Kupiansk, Ukrainian forces resist a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine Concerns rise as the White House alleges Russia's execution of soldiers for disobedience Child evacuations and future uncertainties add to the gravity of the situation
This week, Ukrainian forces persisted in resisting a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine, while the White House alleged that Russia is reportedly executing its own soldiers for failing to follow orders.
In the southern region of Ukraine, authorities have issued evacuation directives for civilians due to escalated aerial attacks by Russia.
Strikes in a western Ukrainian city blew out windows at a nuclear power plant, once again raising safety concerns.
Here are the key developmentsâ¦
Executing its own
The US says Russia is executing its own soldiers and has threatened entire units with execution for failing to obey orders.
National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, informed reporters that the Russian military has been resorting to the execution of soldiers who defy orders. Additionally, Russian commanders have been issuing threats to execute entire units if they attempt to retreat from Ukrainian artillery fire. Kirby did not elaborate on the accusation of Russia executing its own soldiers. It is worth noting that Russia has previously faced allegations of using "barrier troops" to prevent soldiers from deserting the front lines.
"It is absolutely appalling to consider that you would carry out the execution of your own soldiers simply because they refused to obey orders, and now the notion of executing entire units is nothing short of barbaric," he expressed.
According to Kirby, the mobilized forces of Russia in the area "continue to lack proper training, sufficient equipment, and readiness for combat." He also stated that they have predominantly relied on what he referred to as "human wave tactics" in their efforts to pursue a renewed offensive.
Kirby informed reporters that, despite Russia's persistent offensive capability and potential tactical victories on the battlefield, it remains indifferent towards the lives of soldiers.
On Thursday, in the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, a cat perches on the balcony of a demolished house where an elderly woman, formerly a Ukrainian language teacher, stands.
Tough battles in Avdiivka and Kupiansk
Russia continues its brutal offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine declared a victory in repelling attacks and eliminating a significant count of Russian soldiers in Avdiivka, the city situated in Ukraine. Recent rainfall has hindered the progress of Russian forces, impeding their attempts to encircle the city and capture strategically advantageous positions. A local military official remarked, "Moving through wet terrain is challenging enough on foot, let alone maneuvering heavy equipment."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that our warriors successfully halted the enemy's advance, causing significant casualties. He mentioned that the enemy lost at least one brigade of personnel. While CNN cannot authenticate the reported losses, videos obtained from unofficial Ukrainian military sources depict fierce combat and the destruction of military equipment on the battlefield.
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Russia's latest offensive 'is failing,' says Ukrainian government advisor
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Since 2014, Avdiivka has been situated on the front line as a result of separatists supported by Moscow taking control of a significant part of the Donbas region. The city has faced continuous attacks ever since Russia initiated a comprehensive invasion in February 2022. As a consequence, the majority of residents have escaped the ongoing conflict. However, a few civilians who remain are gradually leaving the city, aided by the police.
Meanwhile, in Kupiansk, Ukrainian soldiers are engaged in defending against Russian attempts to seize a crucial railway interchange.
Ukrainian military personnel on the ground report ongoing assaults occurring continuously throughout the day and night.
Kupiansk, which endured Russian occupation for almost seven months at the beginning of the war, was finally liberated in September 2022. Since then, the Ukrainian military has been steadfastly defending against Russian assaults. The city's strategic significance lies in its role in blocking Russian access to the nearby Oskil River.
Zelensky said: "Kupiansk and Avdiivka are in heavy, tough battles, but our soldiers are holding their ground."
Child evacuations
Russian forces are relentlessly bombarding residential areas in the Kherson region with precision-guided aerial bombs, prompting officials to initiate compulsory evacuations of children. A total of 90 children from 23 villages situated on the Ukrainian-controlled western bank of the Dnipro River have been successfully evacuated.
Approximately 700 children are currently located in areas that are being heavily bombarded. Ukrainian officials report that Russians have been launching an average of 35 guided aerial bombs daily at settlements along the Dnipro River since Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least eight civilians. Among the casualties is a 13-year-old boy from the town of Beryslav.
Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of the military administration in Kherson region, visited the settlements that have been frequently targeted by shelling. His goal was to persuade parents to prioritize their children's safety and relocate them to secure areas. He emphasized the importance of providing children with a peaceful environment to play in, which is currently being disrupted by the Russian shelling. According to a Ukrainian government database, the conflict that began in February 2022 has resulted in the tragic loss of over 500 Ukrainian children's lives, and more than 1,000 children have been injured.
Ukraine has previously ordered mandatory evacuations of civilians, particularly children in areas close to front lines in the east and south.
Next time, we may not be so fortunate
The destruction of multiple windows at the site is a clear indication of its close proximity.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the imperative of preventing any future occurrences of nuclear power plant attacks, stating, "In subsequent instances, our luck may not be as favorable." He stressed the utmost importance of evading such situations by all means necessary.
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Everything is destroyed: Civilians trickle out of Avdiivka as Russian assault leaves Ukrainian town in ruins
Zelensky stated that two drones had been shot down, one at a distance of approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the site and the other at a distance of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles). He accused Russia of deliberately targeting the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant. Grossi expressed his concern over the incident, highlighting the fragile nuclear safety conditions in Ukraine due to the ongoing war.
Concerns about a potential nuclear disaster have been heightened since the commencement of Russia's full-scale invasion. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, situated near the front line and under Russian occupation since March 2022, has emerged as a major source of apprehension. Positioned on the eastern side of the Dnipro River, the plant was deliberately shut down in June as a precautionary measure to mitigate the risk of a catastrophic nuclear incident following the breach of the Nova Kakhova dam, which resulted in decreased water levels required for cooling purposes.
