Victorious news of 902nd day of war: Ukrainian forces destroy Russian munitions, Ukraine controls 74 settlements in Russia’s Kursk region

Two Russian servicemen suspected of war crimes for robbing and detaining civilians

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has identified two more Russian soldiers who committed war crimes against civilians during the occupation of Trostianets, Sumy region.

This was reported on Facebook by the press service of the SBU Office in the Sumy region.

In February-March 2022, two servicemen from the 423rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 4th Tank Division, part of the 1st Tank Army of the Western Military District of the Russian Armed Forces, were involved in the capture of the city of Trostianets, Sumy region.

They were Lieutenant Garik Muradyan, commander of the 2nd motorized rifle platoon of the 5th motorized rifle company of the 2nd motorized rifle battalion, and Private Alexei Belyaev, driver of the 2nd motorized rifle squad of the same platoon and company.

"During the occupation, the two servicemen, along with several colleagues, who are currently being identified, robbed local residents using illegal detention. The invaders, threatening people with weapons, took away money and valuables, damaged property for fun and drove them out of their homes," the SBU said.

Law enforcers documented that seven residents of Trostianets suffered from the criminal actions of the identified servicemen.

Ukrainian forces destroy Russian munitions in rear

Ukrainian soldiers with the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great have destroyed ammunition in the Russian rear.

This is stated on the brigade's website, Espreso reports.

The Kharon strike group of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great targeted and destroyed Russian ammunition in the Kupiansk sector. Consequently, the invading Russian forces lost one Ural and one KamAZ vehicle.

Defenders described their work with a mix of restraint and literary flair: "Finding something 'worthwhile' during reconnaissance lifts your spirits! And when our FPV drone arrives and everything at the occupiers' position starts exploding, burning, and smoking, it's truly exhilarating!"

Ukraine controls 74 settlements in Russia’s Kursk region

The advance of Ukraine’s Defense Forces in Russia’s Kursk region continues, with 74 settlements currently under Ukrainian control. Inspections and stabilization measures are being carried out there.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this in his evening address on August 13.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported to Zelenskyy on the situation at the front during the operation in the Kursk region.

"Despite the difficult and intense fighting, the advance of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region continues, and the exchange fund for our country is being replenished. There are 74 settlements under Ukrainian control. Inspections and stabilization measures are being carried out there," Zelenskyy informed.

According to him, humanitarian solutions for these territories are being developed.

"I want to ask you not to forget about training and developing our next important and key steps," Zelenskyy said to Syrskyi.

"All activities are being carried out according to plan," the commander-in-chief replied.

Ukraine returns six children from Russian-occupied territories

Six children have been returned from the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reported the information.

According to parents, their children in the occupied territories were forced to attend Russian schools and celebrate Russian holidays, and were pressured to obtain Russian-issued documents.

"In addition, armed Russians broke into families' homes and conducted unreasonable searches. The feeling of disenfranchisement, restriction, and the realization of what the future holds for the children was the impetus for the departure," Lubinets says.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry approves new models of armored vehicles with mine, ambush protection

Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has approved about 20 models of armored vehicles with mine and ambush protection.

The Ministry of Defense reports.

The ministry noted that for the needs of Ukrainian defenders, samples of armored vehicles produced by defense companies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Turkey, and others were approved for use.

At the same time, the arsenal of armored vehicles of the army was replenished with products of Ukrainian manufacturers of the defense equipment sector, created using MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) technology.

Armored vehicles based on the MRAP principle consist of a capsule that protects personnel in the event of an explosion.

The engine and wheels act as explosion-absorbing elements that absorb all the kinetic energy from a mine explosion while maintaining the integrity of the module, the ministry explains.

Ukraine receives another 500 drones from Latvia

On Tuesday, August 13, Latvia announced the transfer of another 500 drones of its own production to Ukraine.

The Minister of Defense of Latvia Andris Spruds announced this.

"Another package of drones is ready! About 500 Latvian-made drones will support Ukrainians in performing various combat missions," he wrote. 

Latvia is a member of the international drone coalition, which operates within the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. In total, the coalition consists of 14 countries: in addition to Latvia and Ukraine, they are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.