🇮🇱🇺🇸❌🇮🇷 - Former Iranian diplomat, Amir al-Mousavi, told Al-Mayadeen that Iran has been threatened with a nuclear strike.

NOW - WHO's Tedros declares global "mpox" emergency.

@disclosetv

ℹ️ Note: Code hosting platform GitHub is currently experiencing international outages; incident not related to country-level internet disruptions or filtering #GithubDown

📖 🇺🇦 🇷🇺 Kursk Tactical Update | ISW

🔶️ Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces marginally advanced in Kursk Oblast amid a generally slower tempo of Ukrainian operations as Russian forces continue attempts to stabilize the frontline in the area.

🔶️ Ukrainian outlet Suspilne reported on August 14 that its sources in the Ukrainian military stated that the tempo of Ukrainian advances in Kursk Oblast has slowed due to the increasing Russian resistance in the direction of Kursk City.

🔸 Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces are gradually stabilizing the frontline in Kursk Oblast and that unspecified Russian reinforcements are arriving from unspecified areas and are establishing communications with Russian units already in the area.

📎 ISW

🇷🇺🇺🇦 “Meeting on the situation in the Kursk region. We discussed key issues: security, humanitarian aid, and, if necessary, the establishment of military commandant’s offices.

Ukraine is defending itself and the lives of its people in border communities while also taking active steps on Russian territory. Our forces strictly adhere to the requirements of international conventions and humanitarian law.”

🔗 Volodymyr Zelenskyy

📝 Rob Lee: “Looks like the plan is to hold Russian territory for an extended period.”

🔗 Rob Lee

🇺🇦🇷🇺🧵 “I was in #Sumy on Monday for @zeit and spoke to soldiers from several brigades about their activities in #Kursk region. Here are some insights.”

🔸 Out of the 3 scenarios that military experts consider realistic (expanding further, holding, retreating completely), all men I spoke to were in clear favor of the 1st one: Expanding a bit more, then holding. One said: It is an amazing feeling to finally have enough munition.

🔸 Working on Russian territory brings new challenges, especially in the sphere of communication. Starlink doesn’t work. The Ukrainians can use radios (or even Russian sim cards), but it makes them trackable. This leads to a limited knowledge of the territory ahead.

🔸 Now logistics is key. If the aim is to hold territory, Ukrainian soldiers need to set up supply lines and ensure safe ways for the evacuation of material & men. Currently, the problems with communication and surveillance are standing in the way.

🔗 Oliva Kortas

📝 This perhaps explains prior reporting about munition shortages in the Donbass; the offensive into Kursk has received priority in supplies.

Logistics will prove key into the success or failure of the offensive, with the Ukrainian focus on Korenevo resulting from its status as a railway hub connected into the Sumy Oblast of Ukraine. Currently, the Ukrainian advance has yet to secure an East-West rail line necessary to sustain deeper penetrations into the Kursk region of Russia.