Dispatches from Ukraine. Day 544.
As Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues and the war rages on, reliable sources of information are critical. Forbes gathers information and provides updates on the situation.
A man who was injured near the drama theatre during a Russian missile strike, in Chernihiv, Ukraine ... [+]
Local news.
Chernihiv region. As Ukraine celebrated an annual religious holiday on Aug. 19, Moscow attacked the crowded downtown of the northern city of Chernihiv. A Russian Iskander missile targeted Taras Shevchenko Chernihiv Theatre, one of Ukraine’s most distinguished cultural centers. At the time of the blast, people were leaving a church service on the day of a major feast in the Ukrainian Orthodox calendar. The attack killed seven civilians, including a 6-year-old girl named Sofia Holynska whose father is an active serviceman. A Russian Telegram post “Chernihiv. Children’s sandals for sale. Never worn”, accompanying a photo of her memorial, mocked her memory and received 65,000 'laughing' reacts, as of Monday.
With rescue operations winding down, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine confirmed a staggering number 129 people injured. “Russia turned an ordinary Saturday into a day of pain and loss,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in reaction to the strike. “I urge the world to stand up to Russian terror. Provide Ukraine with additional tools to safeguard life. For life to win, Russia must lose this war”.
In this photo provided by the National Police of Ukraine, a man covers a dead body after a Russian ... [+]
Donetsk region. A war-time aid center in the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine came under Russian bombardment on Aug. 18, said the Donetsk regional prosecutor’s office, which is investigating the attack as a possible violation of the laws of war. The blast hit near a “Point of Invincibility,” one of more than four thousand government centers set up for residents to charge phones and stay warm in case of long-term power outages following sustained Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. The blast wave, from what was presumed to be an artillery strike, damaged a series of multi-story buildings and a public garden. At least four civilians were injured: two women, 73 and 76 years old, a 72-year-old man and a 67-year-old aid worker.
Kharkiv region. A Russian artillery strike on the northeastern city of Kupiansk wounded at least 11 civilians, said regional governor Oleg Sinegubov. The strike caused significant damage to a central part of the city, including a branch of Ukraine’s Nova Poshta delivery service. “This is real terror of the civilian population, for which the occupiers must be held strictly accountable,” Sinegubov said on his Telegram social media channel.
World.
The Netherlands and Denmark agreed to transfer an astonishing number of 42 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, the governments of the respective countries announced, as President Zelensky paid a working visit to their capitals on Aug. 20. Kyiv should receive the aircraft by the time Ukrainian pilots finish training with member nations of the international so-called “F-16s coalition” of 11 NATO countries. “It makes me proud that Denmark, together with the Netherlands, will donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine’s freedom struggle against Russia and their senseless aggression,” Danish Minister of Defense Jakob Ellemann-Jensen said. “Denmark’s support for Ukraine is unwavering, and with the donation of F-16 aircrafts, Denmark is now leading the way.” Apart from the triumph with fighter jets, Ukraine and Sweden reached an agreement regarding the joint production of CV90 armored combat vehicles, Ukraine’s head of state confirmed via his Telegram channel. “We are ready to do anything to ensure the first CV90 is produced in Ukraine as soon as possible,” he wrote.
Front line.
In the past week, Ukrainian defenders have retaken control of more than three square kilometers of territory around the town of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, deputy defense minister Hanna Maliar said on Aug. 21. “To sum up, we are speaking of liberated 43 square kilometers near Bakhmut,” she said. Meanwhile, on Aug. 19, Russia’s army lost approximately 10 motorboats – formerly civilian vessels, re-equipped by Russian troops for intelligence and sabotage purposes. Also, explosions were heard over the weekend at two Russian airfields where Tu-22 strategic bombers are under service. As footage published by several Russian and Ukrainian telegram channels indicate, Moscow is likely to have suffered a loss of two of the above-mentioned jets.
On The Culture Front.
Prominent Ukrainian fencing champion Olha Kharlan has put up for auction the Barbie doll version of herself, the four-time Olympic medalist announced via Instagram. “Together with Tribuna UA we decided to auction it for charity on Ebay to raise money for Bodro Clinic,” Kharlan wrote. “Money will go for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian servicemen who suffered as a result of the war.” The miniature is part of Mattel’s
By Daria Dzysiuk, Karina L. Tahiliani