Ukraine Incursion, Middle East Uncertainty, and Global Extreme Heat

Tipping Point Quick Hits (08.15.24)

Ukraine Incursion Shows Putin Is Not Invincible

The possibility of an Iranian attack on Israel and the tumultuous American election cycle seem to be capturing most of the week’s media coverage, but don’t miss the recent news about Ukraine’s incursion into Russian territory.

Starting August 6, Ukraine launched a military offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, surprising allies like the United States and demoralizing Russian troops. Ukraine pushed seven miles into Russia along a 25-mile front. It took Russian soldiers as prisoners, and now controls 28 towns and villages. According to some estimates, the Russian border territory now under Ukrainian control now extends several hundred square miles.

U.S. officials claim they weren’t given advance information about Ukraine’s plans, even though Ukraine used American-supplied munitions and vehicles in the cross-border offensive. Ukrainian soldiers said they didn’t even know in advance about the plan.