Timeline: day 174 of Ukraine's defense against russia's aggression
Today is August 16. russia's military attack on Ukraine has been going on for 174 days. We're reporting on the current news. The article will be updated.
What about today?
Key points
The morning begins with news about the explosion in Crimea. A powerful explosion rang out in the area of Maiske near Dzhankoi. There is no exact information about the circumstances of the blast and russia's losses; we are waiting for official reports from the Ukrainian side. But according to local public information (confirmed by Refat Chubarov, the head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people), russians have been hit in the ammunition warehouse, and an electric substation is also on fire. Currently, residents of the village of Maiske are being evacuated due to the detonation of ammunition.
There is also a military airbase in Dzhankoi, where the 39th helicopter regiment is located. HIMARS, you know where to aim next time!
The latest information from Ukraine's General Staff:
- In the direction of Bakhmut, enemy units conducted offensive and assault actions on the axis of Volodymyrivka-Bakhmutske and Streapivka-Soledar. Here Ukrainian soldiers stopped and pushed the invaders back. Fighting continues in the axis of Pokrovske-Bakhmutske and Horlivka-Zalizne.
- In the Pivdennyi Buh direction, the enemy, in addition to shelling from tanks and artillery along the battle line, used army and assault aircraft in the vicinity of Bila Krynytsia, Andriivka, and Lozove.
- An attempt to improve the tactical position by assault actions in the direction of Zelenyi Hai-Novohryhorivka ended with significant losses and a retreat for the enemy.
Ukrainian aviation destroyed two russian strongholds in the south. According to the South operational command, they also inflicted devastating blows on russia's positions near Novopetrivka and Maksimivka. Ukraine eliminated twenty-three rocket launchers, a 152-mm howitzer gun, and an ammunition supply point.
During the day, the Ukrainian forces destroyed three more ammunition depots. Demilitarization took place in the following locations:
- Yasinuvata, Donetsk region;
- Donetsk;
- Beryslav district, Kherson region.
The number of russia's destroyed troops is approaching 44,000.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved changes to the state budget for 2022, which increased expenditures of the general fund of the state budget by UAH 270.2 billion to strengthen defense capabilities.
Nuclear facilities
"Any radiation incident at the Zaporizhzhia NPP could be a blow to many countries. Everything depends only on the direction and strength of the wind," President Zelensky reminded the world in his daily address. "We need to move on from discussions and calls for new tough sanctions against russia, against Rosatom, and the entire nuclear industry of the terrorist state. All russian forces must immediately withdraw from the station and neighboring areas without any conditions.
For many decades, the world has struggled for proper control over all activities with nuclear materials and radiation safety. And if now the world lacks the strength and determination to protect one atomic plant, it means that the world will lose. There is still a chance to prevent this loss."
russia's foreign ministry believes that "it is dangerous to take the IAEA to the Zaporizhzhia NPP through Kyiv." Thus, Deputy Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Vyshnevetsky reacted to the UN plans. russia is not interested in implementing this proposal.
If the russians provoke a disaster at the ZNPP, 400,000 residents will have to be evacuated, Oleksandr Starukh, Zaporizhzhia governor, said.
Who's coming to Ukraine?
On financial and information aid, weapons, and politicians
Another six M109 howitzers arrived in Ukraine from Latvia. They are already participating in battles and "demonstrating the results," said Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine.
The French government is ready to help in the demining of the de-occupied territories of Ukraine, and the restoration of the Chernihiv region, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Tymoshenko said following the meeting with the first adviser of the French Embassy, Bruno Cossanel, and the attaché for humanitarian aid, Frederic Rousseau.
Ukraine received 200 million euros from Italy. This money came as part of a soft loan granted for 15 years at a zero interest rate. Ukraine's Ministry of Finance reported this. The funds will be used for the salaries of the teaching staff of public secondary education institutions.
In the Portuguese city of Albufeira, Ukrainian dog trainers completed a training course for service dogs using the Arcón method. The course was conducted by the technique developer, Dr. Jaime Parejo.
News from partners
China does not help the russian federation in the war against Ukraine and continues to maintain neutrality, Ukraine's FM Kuleba claims. According to him, at the level of narratives, the Chinese interpretation of the causes of the war coincides with the Russian one. However, the russian federation does not receive practical help.
In Estonia, one of the Soviet monuments significant for russians was dismantled. It is a T-34 tank in the city of Narva, where russians make up 87% of the population. The monument was removed from the pedestal to be moved to the Estonian Military Museum in Viimsi, and traffic was restricted on the Narva-Narva-Jõesuu road for safe transportation.
Latvia started new fundraising for Bayraktar for Ukraine! Musician Ralfs Eilands became one of the project's initiators and said that everyone had the opportunity to "say hello to the russian occupiers" with the help of Ukrainian hands. "Some people have forgotten about the war at the moment. The goal of this campaign is not only to collect the necessary amount but also to remind that, unfortunately, nothing is over yet," Eilands said. In total, €5 million must be collected for "Latvian Bayraktar." Over €58,000 was collected in the first hours.
Sanctions on the aggressor!
Olaf Scholz explained why he is against the ban on issuing Schengen visas to russians: because it will make it difficult for those who disagree with the authorities to leave the country. Scholz noted, "many people are fleeing russia because they do not agree with the russian regime."
Life considering hostilities
The first half a hundred employees of the railway stations underwent a training course in first aid from the instructors of the Red Cross of Ukraine, which includes the use of defibrillators. Ukrzaliznytsia Railways said that with the help of the Red Cross Society of Ukraine, 50 stations across the country have already been equipped with defibrillators. In total, it is planned to train more than 250 employees.
On Saturday, August 20, the capital will host the Faire Way charity bike ride supporting Ukraine's forces. One of the bike ride goals is to remind us about the prisoners of war of "Azovstal."
Another ship with grain sailed to Africa. The vessel "Brave commander" with grain for Africa left the port Pyvdennyi. "This morning, the bulk carrier left for the port of Djibouti, upon arrival to which the food will be delivered to consumers in Ethiopia," the Ministry of Infrastructure said in a statement.
