Visit of Indian prime minister to Kyiv, 'stabilization actions' in Kharkiv Oblast, new aid from USA: August 23 highlights

The Kharkiv regional administration responded to the hromadske investigation

The Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration stated that 20% of the fortifications have already been inspected and recognized as appropriate. They also noted that they are responsible only for the construction and maintenance of the third line of fortifications. The first two lines are built by the military command.

According to a hromadske investigation, at the end of 2023, the defensive structures of the second line in some areas in Kharkiv Oblast were in the lowlands and overgrown with bushes, and the trenches had collapsed. The concrete structures were not arranged properly. According to General Artur Horbenko, he saw the quality of the fortifications and refused to accept them.

Flag Day

On August 23, Ukraine celebrates its national flag day. It was on this day in 1991, after the failed putsch in Moscow, that a group of lawmakers carried the blue-yellow Ukrainian flag into the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada. Today it is still kept in the museum of the parliament.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the flag-raising ceremony in Kyiv near the Motherland monument.

Modi's visit to Ukraine

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kyiv on August 23. This is the first visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since the country gained independence in 1991.

Together with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Modi honored the memory of children who died as a result of the war.

Modi said he wants to, "as a friend", play a role in the peaceful settlement of the Russo-Ukrainian war. At the same time, he noted that India provides humanitarian support, but distances itself from war as much as possible.

In addition, Zelenskyy and Modi made a joint statement in which, in particular, they called for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council and agreed to work on strengthening relations between defense agencies.

Biden announced new aid

US President Joe Biden had a telephone conversation with his colleague Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day. He also announced a new US military aid package.

"Stabilization actions" in Kharkiv Oblast

In Kharkiv Oblast, stabilization measures are underway at the site of the counterattack of the Third Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Ukrainian military attacked the positions and logistics of the 20th Guards Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the course of hostilities as follows: "We are pushing out the Russian army, gradually. The occupier will not conquer Kharkiv, will not conquer our Ukraine."

The court rejected Krotevych's complaint against the SBI

The Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv refused to satisfy the complaint of military officer Bohdan Krotevych against the State Bureau of Investigation, which did not initiate a case against the ex-commander of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Yuriy Sodol. This was reported by two media with reference to Krotevych's lawyer Valentyn Bondarchuk.

The destruction of the ferry in the port Kavkaz was confirmed

The Naval Forces of Ukraine officially confirmed the destruction of the ferry "Conro Trader" in the port Kavkaz in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai.

According to the Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk, this ferry was one of the important chains of Russian military logistics supporting the occupation forces.

After the attack, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation reported that the Kerch ferry crossing was not working.

Another strike on the oil depot in Proletarsk

The Russian Federation reported a second attack on the oil depot in Proletarsk in Rostov Oblast, where the firefighters have been unable to put out the fire for almost a week after the previous attack by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Russia threatens Ukraine with "severe punishment" for Kursk operation

Russia seems to have decided on the response to the offensive of the Defense Forces in Kursk Oblast, the Russian Ambassador to the USA Anatoly Antonov said. According to him, "severe punishment" awaits Kyiv.

The Ministry of Culture is interested in monuments in Kursk Oblast

The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy is interested in studying historical monuments located in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. However, they will be investigated when the security situation will facilitate it, the department noted.

Ukraine's squad for the 2024 Summer Paralympics

The Paralympic team of Ukraine announced the list of athletes who will represent the country at the competition in Paris.

In total, 145 athletes in 17 out of 22 sports will represent Ukraine at the upcoming Paralympics. This will be the largest delegation in history.

Other news

• Latvia will transfer the largest batch of drones to Ukraine.
• Commisioner Dmytro Lubinets said that the law on land lease permits for mobile stations violates the Constitution and the Convention on Human Rights.
• The SBU detained an FSB agent, who in March spotted a double-tap attack on Odesa. Dozens of people died then.
• Another power unit was brought back from repair in Ukraine. This will help avoid blackouts.
• The first school will be opened in Hungary, where children will study in the Ukrainian language.