Ukraine requests US approval for ATACMS missiles to target Russian military airfields - media

The Washington Post reported the information.

The outlet noted that Russia is utilizing its military airfields in response to the actions in the Kursk region. Authorizing the use of ATACMS missiles to target these airfields would enable Ukraine to hold part of Kursk for a certain period of time.

"This will give them the leverage they need for negotiations with Russia — this is what it’s all about," the outlet quoted the Ukrainian presidential adviser as saying.

The Washington Post added that the exact purpose of the events in the Kursk region is unclear, but analysts believe that in addition to potentially diverting Russian troops from the eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine is likely trying to gain leverage in future negotiations.

The outlet also noted that the attack on the Kursk region created new pressure on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, as Russian civilians had to be evacuated under the same shelling that Ukrainians have been enduring for more than two years.

Earlier, Forbes wrote that Ukraine had a rare opportunity to attack the Russian Malshevo air base in the summer and destroy the air fleet. However, the United States did not allow the use of ATACMS for the attack.

What is known about cross-border raid in Russia’s Kursk region

On August 6, the authorities of Russia's Kursk region stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces allegedly tried to break through the Russian border, but were allegedly pushed back. Later, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that "the Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group retreated to its territory.”

Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate refused to comment on the statements regarding the Kursk region. However, NV media, citing its own source in Ukrainian intelligence, wrote that the events in the Kursk region "definitely did not involve fighters of the Russian Volunteer Corps, who are fighting as part of Ukraine's Armed Forces.”

The Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian Defense Ministry, acting governor of the Kursk region Alexei Smirnov, and some propagandists have different versions of the events in the Kursk region.

On August 7, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin convened the Russian military leadership to discuss the situation in the Kursk region, which he called a "large-scale provocation." At the time, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called on the international community to "strongly condemn the Kyiv regime's criminal attacks on Russian territory."

Staff at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant fear that the plant's management has not prepared for a possible attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Additionally, in the Kursk region, the Russians have started forming UAV operator units from civilians, providing them with up to 10 hours of training.

On August 7, a state of emergency was introduced in the Kursk region.

On August 8, the Institute for the Study of War reported that Ukrainian troops confirmed advancing up to 10 km deep into the Kursk region as mechanized offensives continued.