Strategically important bridge destroyed in Kursk region, Russia lowers enlistment age in occupied territories - Friday brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
Ukrainian troops destroyed a bridge over the Seym River near the village of Glushkovo, Kursk region. Meanwhile, Russians have significantly lowered the mandatory enlistment age in one of the military organizations in the occupied territories.
Read more about what happened on Friday, August 16.
Russia claims Ukraine's Forces destroyed strategically important bridge in Kursk region
On Friday, August 16, Russian Telegram channels reported that Ukrainian troops had destroyed a bridge over the Seym River near the village of Glushkove in the Kursk region. It is the most important artery of logistics in the area.
After several strikes, one of the bridge spans collapsed.
As a result, part of the Glushkovo district is cut off, including the villages of Tyotkino, Popovo-Lezhachi, Wolfino, and about 27 other settlements.
Russia lowers enlistment age to 14 for paramilitary training in occupied territories
Russians have significantly lowered the mandatory enlistment age in one of the military organizations in the occupied territories. From now on, children will be required to join DOSAAF (Volunteer Society for the Assistance to the Army, Aviation, and Navy) from the age of 14, according to the National Resistance Center of Ukraine.
Before that, the age of admission to the Russian terrorist organization was 18.
"Considering the failed scenario of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin is expected to announce a new wave of mobilization any day now," the statement reads.
US JASSM missiles for Ukraine can reach Moscow and key Russian targets - Aviation expert
The aviation expert Valerii Romanenko, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine's YouTube channel, stated that the JASSM missiles, which the United States may provide to Ukraine for the F-16, could reach Moscow or destroy the Crimean bridge.
According to Romanenko, JASSM differs from ATACMS. While ATACMS are ballistic missiles, JASSM are cruise missiles with a completely different design and principle of operation. He noted that JASSM is more similar to the British Storm Shadow missiles.
"JASSM missiles are an analog to the Storm Shadow. However, the F-16 cannot carry the Storm Shadow but can carry two JASSM missiles. They have similar components and the same warhead. But the JASSM has a longer range, reaching 370 km for the regular JASSM version and up to 900 km for the extended-range version," Romanenko explained.
In his opinion, the U.S. may provide Ukraine with JASSM missiles of regular modification, as the Americans understand that "we are itching to strike Moscow or targets in Russia's rear."
Kamala Harris to propose federal ban on food 'price-gouging' in US
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is going to propose the first-ever federal restrictions in US history on "corporate price-gouging" for food and groceries, informs NBC News.
"There's a big difference between fair pricing in competitive markets and excessive prices unrelated to the costs of doing business. Americans can see that difference in their grocery bills," the Vice President campaign's statement says.
The Democratic candidate's team adds that if Harris is elected President of the United States, she plans to tighten control over potential mergers of large supermarkets and food producers, "specifically for the risk that the proposed merger would raise grocery prices for consumers."
NBC News notes that Harris's proposal is one of the issues in her economic reform program, which she will present on Friday during a meeting with voters in North Carolina.
White House declines to comment on WSJ article linking Ukraine to Nord Stream sabotage
The White House declined to comment on The Wall Street Journal’s report that Ukrainian high-ranking officials might have "approved" the operation to blow up the Russian gas pipelines in the Nord Streams, citing John Kirby, the National Security Communications Advisor.
He declined to answer reporters' questions asking him to comment on the article.
"I’m not going to comment on the Wall Street Journal reporting on this," Kirby responded during the press conference in Washington.
