Victorious news of 904th day of war: Ukraine opens military office in Russia's Kursk region, Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashes

I Want to Live project shows Russian soldiers captured in Kursk region

On August 14, over 100 Russian soldiers surrendered to the Ukrainian Defense Forces in Russia's Kursk region.

The video was published by the Unified Center for Receiving Appeals of Russian Military Servicemen for Surrender, which is engaged in the I Want to Live project.

"They can be understood, it is difficult to fight when you are commanded by autocrats and treasury thieves, and your flanks are "covered" by Kadyrov's bandits who abandon everyone and everything to avoid being captured themselves," the statement says.

According to Suspilne and RBC-Ukraine, citing their own sources, the Security Service special forces captured 102 Russian soldiers. Among them are soldiers of the 488th Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces and the Akhmat unit.

"Special Forces captured and cleared an extensive, concrete and fortified company stronghold with underground communications and accommodation for personnel," the statement says.

Ukraine's first firefighting robot authorized for use in military service

Ukraine's first firefighting ground robot, which operates at a distance of up to 2 km in open terrain, has been approved for use in the army.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry reports.

Using a remote control, the operator guides the robot from a safe location to the center of the fire. The flow of liquid applied to the fire source can be adjusted remotely, according to the Defense Ministry.

The firefighting robot operates at a distance of up to 2 km from the operator on open terrain and up to 400 meters on rough terrain.

The ministry reports that the robot was initially developed for civilian emergency rescue services, but the military showed interest in it.

"This robot is needed, for example, in areas with unexploded ordnance, near burning equipment where there is a risk of ammunition detonation, and in other potentially dangerous situations that pose a risk to the lives and health of military personnel," the statement says.

With its tracked chassis, the robot can traverse rough terrain, move over burning debris, and operate in extreme temperatures.

Ukraine opens military office in occupied Kursk region 

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced this during a meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on August 15.

According to Syrskyi, the first Ukrainian military commandant's office has been set up in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, headed by Major General Moskaliov. The Commander-in-Chief noted that this is necessary to maintain law and order and address the priority needs of the population in the controlled territories.

Syrskyi also reported that the search for and destruction of the enemy was completed in Suzha and three other settlements in the Kursk region.

Ukrainian forces use British Challenger 2 tanks in Kursk region operation 

Ukrainian troops have deployed British Challenger 2 battle tanks in Russia's Kursk region. Sky News reports this with reference to its own sources.

In line with government policy, the UK has confirmed that Ukraine can freely use British weapons in Russia.

Sources say that this authorization also applies to Challenger 2 tanks, which are used in the Ukrainian operation that began on August 6.

Details of how and when Ukrainian forces deployed Challenger 2 tanks in the Russian area are unknown. The number of tanks that may have been involved is also unknown.

However, the powerful 82nd Air Assault Brigade is a unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces that has been operating British main battle tanks since last year. The participation of the brigade's units in the Kursk offensive has been confirmed.

Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashes in Russia

On August 15, a Tu-22М3 long-range supersonic bomber firing Kh-22/Kh-32 missiles at Ukraine crashed in the Irkutsk region of Russia.

The Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti reported.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Tu-22M3 was performing a scheduled flight when it crashed near the village of Mikhaylovka. The ministry claims that the crew managed to eject.

"According to preliminary data, the crash was caused by a technical malfunction," the statement said.

Tu-22M3 is a long-range strategic bomber that serves as a carrier for Kh-22 missiles. The Tu-22M3 crew consists of four people, and the aircraft can carry up to three Kh-22 missiles. Its flight range is up to 7,000 kilometers, though with a maximum load, this decreases to 2,400 kilometers. As of 2024, there are 57 Tu-22M3 bombers in the Russian arsenal.

This is the second irreversible loss of a Tu-22M3 for the Russian Aerospace Forces in a year. One of these aircraft was destroyed on April 19, 2024, when it was shot down by an S-200 air defense missile system.

Ukrainian forces take control of 82 settlements in Russia’s Kursk region

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have taken control of 82 settlements in Russia’s Kursk region. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced this during a meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on August 15.

According to him, Ukrainian forces have advanced between 500 meters and 1.5 kilometers in some areas, repelled three attacks, and continue to advance. 

Syrskyi noted that since the beginning of the operation in the Kursk region, the Ukrainian army has advanced 35 kilometers, taking control of 1,150 square kilometers and 82 settlements.