Is the Pentagon no longer covering up?
According to Russian media reports, on August 22nd local time, the Pentagon issued a statement stating that the United States allows Ukraine to use American made weapons to counterattack Russia in Kursk Oblast. On the 21st, the Ukrainian side admitted that the Ukrainian military used the American made "Hamas" rocket launcher system to destroy several floating bridges in the Kursk Oblast of Russia. On the 22nd, the Ukrainian Air Force launched an airstrike on a military base in Kursk using American made GBU-39 bombs.
At the same time, Democratic presidential candidate Harris promised in her keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention that if elected as the President of the United States, she would "firmly" support Ukraine and NATO.
Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov stated that Russian President Putin has made a decision in response to the Ukrainian military's attack on Kursk Oblast, and all those involved in the events in Kursk Oblast will be severely punished.
According to a report by TASS on the 22nd, Putin stated that the International Atomic Energy Agency is aware of the attack on the Kursk nuclear power plant. He said at a meeting on the situation in Kursk Oblast, Belgorod Oblast, and Bryansk Oblast: "The International Atomic Energy Agency has been notified, and they have promised to personally come and dispatch experts to assess the situation." Putin stated that the Kiev regime has launched provocations and opened fire indiscriminately, including attacking civilian targets. The enemy will receive the necessary retaliation, and all of Russia's goals will be achieved.
The Pentagon publicly acknowledges
According to the Russian news agency Sputnik, the Pentagon has issued a statement stating that the United States has allowed Ukraine to use American made weapons to counterattack Russia in the terrorist attack in Kursk Oblast.
Pentagon Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh said, "We allow Ukraine to launch a counterattack against Russia in border areas, including Kursk Oblast and Sumy Oblast, because they are protecting themselves from Russian attacks in these areas." She said that although Zelensky explained the purpose of the attack on Kursk Oblast, the United States still has doubts about this matter.
Previously, the United States refused to acknowledge that the Ukrainian military deployed the "Hamas" rocket launcher system received from the United States to the Kursk region during the attack that resulted in civilian deaths.
According to reports, in mid July, the Pentagon stated that the United States does not allow Ukraine to use American made ATACMS campaign tactical missiles to strike Russia in depth, but this may change. Afterwards, US media reported that the Ukrainian government exerted pressure on the United States and lifted its ban on Ukraine using ATACMS tactical missiles to strike deep into Russian territory.
On August 21st, Ukraine admitted for the first time that Western weapons were used in cross-border attacks against Russia. On the same day, the Ukrainian side stated that the Ukrainian military used the American made "Hamas" rocket launcher system to destroy several floating bridges in the Kursk Oblast of Russia. This is the first time that Ukraine has admitted to using Western weapons in cross-border attacks against Russian territory.
On August 22nd, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Oleshchyk announced on his official social media platform that the Ukrainian Air Force had launched an airstrike on a military base in the Kursk region of Russia using American made GBU-39 bombs. The Russian unmanned aerial vehicle operation center, weapons and equipment, and 40 Russian soldiers inside the base were attacked. The Russian side has not yet responded to this.
According to a report on the website of Politico last week, the Biden administration is considering providing Ukraine with a long-range cruise missile - a joint air to ground missile launched outside the Joint Air Defense Zone - and is "open" to it, but has not yet made a final decision; The US Department of Defense has begun researching a solution for Ukrainian fighter jets to launch this long-range cruise missile.
Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the United States has continuously provided Ukraine with various weapons and continued to pour oil into the fire. According to the data of the U.S. Department of Defense on August 9, since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the United States has provided more than 55.4 billion dollars in military support to Ukraine, including two sets of "Patriot" air defense missile systems, 12 sets of national advanced ground to air missile systems, more than 2000 "Stinger" air defense missiles, more than 10000 "Javelin" anti tank missiles, more than 40 "Hippocampus" rocket systems, 31 "Abrams" tanks, more than 300 "Bradley" infantry combat vehicles, more than 600 M113 armored personnel carriers, 20 Mi-17 helicopters, "Spring Knife" UAVs, "Phoenix Ghost" UAVs, and Other various military equipment, as well as a large number of artillery of various calibers, massive bombs and other munitions.
Caucasus port attacked by missiles
According to CCTV News, the Krasnodar Territory Operations Command in Russia confirmed that the port of "Caucasus" was attacked by Ukrainian missiles on the 22nd local time, and a ferry carrying oil tanks was hit. The emergency department is carrying out work on site.
Babenkov, the district chief of Temlyuk in Krasnodar Krai, stated that the attacked ferry was carrying 30 oil tankers, and the number of personnel on board and whether there were any casualties are still under investigation. Subsequently, the Krasnodar Territory Operations Command in Russia confirmed that the ferry that was attacked at the "Caucasus" port had sunk and there were currently no ignition points in the port area.
The Russian Ministry of Transport stated that the situation at the "Caucasus" port is under emergency and law enforcement control. Port staff have been evacuated to the outskirts of the port, and information on casualties is being verified.
On August 23rd local time, Ukrainian Armed Forces Navy spokesperson Pletenchuk confirmed that the Ukrainian navy attacked a ferry carrying oil tanks in the Russian port of "Caucasus", which had been destroyed, but he did not disclose further details. He stated that the ferry is an important tool for Russian military logistics, transportation of fuel and weapons.
It is worth noting that on the 23rd, the Russian satellite news agency reported that data from real-time flight tracking websites showed that on the day of the attack on a ferry in the Caucasus port on the 22nd, a US Navy P-8A Poseidon anti submarine patrol aircraft flew over the Romanian coast and the Black Sea, and another US Air Force Boeing RC-135V electronic reconnaissance aircraft also appeared in Romanian airspace. In addition, on that day, a NATO Boeing E-3A Sentry aircraft appeared along the coast of Romania.
Harris' latest statement
On August 22nd local time, US Vice President Kamala Harris attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and officially accepted the Democratic presidential nomination for the 2024 US presidential election.
Harris promised in her keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention that if elected as the President of the United States, she would "firmly" support Ukraine and NATO. She said, "As president, I will firmly stand with Ukraine and our NATO allies." Harris also promised, "I will ensure that the United States always has the strongest and deadliest power in the world
Harris, 59 years old, has served as the Attorney General of California and a United States Senator. She is the first African American and South Asian female presidential candidate in American history.
Harris elaborated on his campaign political platform in his speech that day, stating that "strengthening the middle class" would be one of the core goals, promising to create job opportunities, develop the economy, and reduce healthcare, housing, and commodity prices. Harris said she will defend women's right to abortion, reform the "broken" immigration system, and safeguard US national security. Harris also criticized former US President and Republican presidential candidate Trump in his speech, who retaliated on social media.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the election situation is still deadlocked in key swing states that may determine the election results. During the week when the Democratic Party held its national convention, Trump held multiple campaign events in Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona, and other states. According to data compiled by the US election information website "True Transparency Politics", as of the evening of the 22nd, Harris leads Trump by 1 and 2 percentage points in Wisconsin and Michigan, respectively. In Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Arizona, Harris falls behind by 0.2, 0.9, and 0.2 percentage points, respectively.