Ukraine Claims More Victories in Southeastern Front

Ukrainian military forces reported on Thursday, August 17, that they have achieved further victories in their counteroffensive against Russian forces in the southeastern front, just a day after announcing the liberation of the village of Orozhyn in the Donetsk region. According to Reuters, Ukrainian military stated that they advanced south of Orozhyn towards the occupied areas near the Sea of Azov. Andriy Kovalov, a spokesperson for the military, said on Ukrainian national television: 'Towards the south of Orozhyn, they (Ukrainian soldiers) have achieved success.' He did not provide further details. Orozhyn is the first village that Kyiv claims to have been recaptured since July 27. This timeframe indicates the challenge Kyiv faces in advancing through heavily mined Russian defensive lines without strong air support. The village is located approximately 100 kilometers west of the city of Donetsk, which is under Russian control. A Ukrainian general reported on Wednesday about a Russian attack towards Kupiansk, a city in the Kharkiv region, but stated that Ukraine has controlled this attack as well as Russian assaults to the north of Bakhmut and near the city of Lyman, preventing their advance. Russia controls nearly one-fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea, most of Luhansk region, and large parts of Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions. Kyiv claims that due to vast mined areas and heavily fortified Russian defensive lines, the Ukrainian counteroffensive is progressing slower than desired. Russia has targeted Ukrainian grain silos with airstrikes. The United States has allocated an additional $200 million in military aid to Ukraine. Ukraine stated that the negotiations in Saudi Arabia were a 'major blow' to Russia on the global stage. The Financial Times reported that the United States has called for a halt to drone sales to Russia. The U.S. has sanctioned three arms companies linked to North Korea and Russia.