War in Ukraine: American timing error, helicopter shot down by a drone, robot dogs… the latest on the situation

Every day, Midi Libre takes stock of the situation in Ukraine. This Thursday, August 8, 2024, discover the latest news around this conflict.

American timing error

Kiev's allies would have made a mistake, allowing Moscow to still use its glide bombs launched from large bombers which wreak real havoc. To successfully eliminate these planes, the Americans could have used ATACMS missiles. But Washington’s authorization given to Ukraine came far too late.

Moscow was thus able to follow the negotiations and anticipate kyiv's maneuvers. "Between the second half of June and mid-July, the forces Russians have moved a large part of their valuable military assets out of the border zone with Ukraine", explains the Ukrainian analysis group Frontelligence Insight cited& nbsp;by Forbes.

The Russian aircraft are now several hundred kilometers from the border, and therefore out of range of the ATACMS missiles. A timing error that could harm Ukraine.

The Kursk incursion, a response to Russia

The Ukrainian incursion that has been underway for more than two days in the Russian region of Kursk is a consequence of Russian “aggression” against Ukraine, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential administration, Mykhailo Podoliak, said on Thursday.

The Ukrainian army launched the assault on Tuesday with up to 1,000 soldiers and armored vehicles, said the Russian general staff, which ensures that it is doing everything to repel the soldiers. Ukrainians outside its territory.

According to several analysts, the Ukrainian advance is concentrated around Soudja, a Russian town of around 5,500 inhabitants located around ten kilometers from the border and which is home to a gas station still delivering to Europe via Ukraine. The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) claimed in its latest report that Ukrainian forces had advanced up to 10 kilometers deep and penetrated < em> "at least two Russian lines of defense".

Russian helicopter shot down by drone

A drone used by kyiv is said to have shot down a Russian army helicopter. This is a’“unique special operation in military history” , a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) emphasizes. The downed aircraft was a Russian anti-armor attack helicopter that aims to destroy military vehicles such as tanks.

Images of this Ukrainian attack were shared on social media before the full video was released by Serhii Sternenko.

Robot dogs, allies of Ukraine?

Robot dogs are deployed to relieve Ukrainian soldiers of perilous missions, ranging from inspecting Russian trenches to mine detection, and could soon become a common aid on the front lines.

During a demonstration at a confidential location in Ukraine, a metal dog of the “BAD One” model, fresh out of its trunk, stands up, crouches, runs or leaps according to the orders given to it by its operator on his remote control.

The machine used for the demonstration moves thanks to a battery that gives it an autonomy of between "between two and three hours", he assures. The robot dog can also be used to deliver ammunition or medicine to hot spots on the battlefield.