Wednesday Briefing
How Ukrainian Troops Invaded Russia
On August 6, Ukraine launched a daring — and highly secret — military attack aimed at ending a war it had seemed to be losing for months. The operation surprised even Kiev’s closest allies, including the United States, and has pushed the boundaries of how Western military equipment can be used on Russian soil.
Ukraine has advanced seven miles into Russia along a 25-mile front, capturing dozens of Russian soldiers, analysts and Russian officials say. The governor of Russia’s Kursk region said Monday that Ukraine controls 28 towns and villages there. More than 132,000 people have been evacuated from nearby areas, Russian officials said.
For Russia, it was a shocking moment, calling into question the unwritten social contract that has largely guided President Vladimir Putin’s 30-month campaign: that most Russians could continue with their normal lives even while he was at war.
Analysis: This offensive is a huge gamble for Ukraine. If its forces can hold territory, they can stretch the capacity of Russian soldiers, embarrass Putin, and get a bargaining chip for peace talks. But if Russia succeeds in striking back, Ukrainian military leaders could be blamed for giving the Russians an opening to gain more territory.
On the ground: Andrew E. Kramer, our Kiev bureau chief, spoke to Ukrainians living in villages near the Russian border. He told The Headlines: “A Ukrainian woman who was evacuated from a border village said it was time for Russians to get a taste of war.”
Hamas will not attend ceasefire negotiations
International mediators are heading to the Middle East for a major round of ceasefire negotiations scheduled for tomorrow, in hopes of easing tensions ahead of an expected attack on Israel by Iran and Hezbollah.
But Hamas will not participate in the talks because its leaders do not believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is negotiating in good faith, an official from the group said. Hamas’ decision did not appear to bode well for a breakthrough, but it did not mean the group had completely abandoned the negotiating table.
Two officials briefed on the talks, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that after the meeting, Hamas would still be willing to engage with mediators if Israel gave a “serious response” to Hamas’s last offer in early July.
Netanyahu responds: The Israeli leader has rejected accusations that he is building a wall, but documents seen by The Times show he has been less flexible in recent talks. Last month, he privately added new, less flexible conditions to Israel’s cease-fire demands than those set out in May. His own negotiators fear those provisions have created additional obstacles to a deal.
In Great Britain: Counter-terrorism police have charged seven people with violent disturbances after pro-Palestinian protesters stormed an Israeli defense company building.
🇺🇸 US ELECTIONS 2024
The presidential election is less than 90 days away. Here’s what we’re watching.
Abortion rights play a leading role in US elections
Arizona voters will decide in November whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. The measure could significantly impact turnout in the swing state, which is crucial to the presidential election and control of the Senate.
Similar abortion rights measures are on the ballot in six other states in November, but Nevada is the only other swing state. Democrats are hoping the issue will give them an edge.
Background: Since Roe v. Wade, which enshrined a right to abortion in the U.S. Constitution, was overturned, Democrats have used their dismay over its demise to gain electoral traction, with young women in particular flocking to the party.
Other news about the race:
Do you have any questions about the elections? Send them to us and we will find the answers.
Stay informed: Live reporting | Poll tracker | The “Run-Up” Podcast | Newsletter about politics
MORE TOP NEWS
The young student protesters who led an uprising against Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina are now ministers and traffic police. They were surprised by what they achieved — now it’s up to them to try to protect the spaces they’ve seized, restore order and chart the nation’s future.
Lives lived: Model Peggy Moffitt helped define the look of the ’60s, but she was most famous for one photo: a 1964 picture of her posing in a topless swimsuit. She died at age 86.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
ART AND IDEAS
An enchanting age difference of 481 years
Disappointed by swipe culture and – perhaps – reality, some readers are yearning for the much older male characters (seriously, think old-fashioned) of “romance” novels, a subgenre that combines fantasy and romance.
The novels have amassed a huge fan base and many of the male love interests are vampires, fairies, gods or angels. They may be ancient on the inside, but on the outside they are always young-presenting and, well, hot.
