Ukraine's air force reported on Thursday, August 8, that it successfully intercepted two out of four missiles and all four drones launched by Russia in an overnight assault.

According to the report, Russia fired two Kh-59 missiles and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Ukrainian defenses managed to down both Kh-59 missiles and the two Iskander missiles, which were aimed at the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine. As of Thursday morning, there was no update from Governor Oleh Syniehubov regarding the damage caused by the attack.

In the central Dnipropetrovsk region, Governor Serhiy Lysak confirmed that air defenses intercepted a missile. Following several Russian strikes overnight, a 12-year-old boy was injured, and two homes sustained damage.

Kirovohrad's Governor Andriy Raykovych reported that no damage was observed in his region after successful interception by air defenses.

Since the conflict began in February 2022, Ukrainian forces have carried out several brief incursions into Russia. These include actions by Russian units supporting Kyiv, such as the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion.

Additionally, Ukrainian drones targeted residential areas in Voronezh and Belgorod, both located in Russia’s border regions. While there was some damage reported, no casualties were noted, according to local officials.

Russia reports that it is battling ongoing raids by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region for the second consecutive day. This series of attacks is being described as one of the most significant incursions into Russian territory since the beginning of the war. The Ukrainian government has yet to officially claim responsibility for or acknowledge the assault.

The Kursk raids come amidst a broader strategy by Ukraine to escalate its military pressure on Russia, particularly targeting areas of strategic importance. Ukraine's efforts to intensify its operations have been evident in its campaigns within occupied Crimea, where recent reports suggest some notable successes. This surge in activity underscores Ukraine’s commitment to challenging Russian control and regaining lost territories.

These incursions reflect a growing trend of heightened conflict, as Ukraine seeks to shift the dynamics of the war by increasing its offensives on multiple fronts. The ongoing situation in Kursk highlights the escalating nature of the conflict and the strategic maneuvers being employed by both sides. As Ukraine continues to press its advantages and push back against Russian forces, the overall impact on the broader conflict remains to be seen.

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