BBC News Briefing

12 August, 2024

Jules Darmanin

Hello. Today we're taking a closer look at the Ukrainian offensive in Russia's Kursk region, now the largest advance of Ukrainian forces in Russia since the start of the full-scale war in 2022. We're also saying goodbye to Paris after two weeks of Olympic festivities - although the Paralympic Games are just around the corner, in two weeks' time.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Ukrainian troops keep advancing in Russia

Ukrainian soldiers are smiling while standing on an armoured tank

Ukrainian armour moving towards the Russian border in the Sumy region. Credit: Getty Images

Ukrainian troops have advanced up to 30km (18 miles) inside the Russian region of Kursk, according to the Russian defence ministry, six days after they started their offensive. It's now the biggest and most significant incursion of Ukrainian forces since February 2022, when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A senior Ukrainian official told the AFP news agency that thousands of troops were engaged in the operation, with the aim "to destabilise the situation in Russia". In Sumy region, across the border, BBC reporters witnessed a constant flow of armoured personnel carriers and tanks moving towards Russia. Photos analysed by BBC Verify also appeared to show Russia constructing new defensive lines near the Kursk nuclear power plant. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other after a fire broke out at the giant Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Sunday. The UN's nuclear watchdog said it saw "strong dark smoke" coming from the facility, which sits in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. But it said there was "no impact reported" for nuclear safety.

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Over the weekend: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged the offensive for the first time on Saturday, to "ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor.

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Watch: Ukrainian soldiers have filmed themselves raising a yellow-and-blue flag in a Russian settlement across the border.

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In Africa: Ukraine has helped rebels in northern Mali inflict a severe defeat on the Russian mercenary group Wagner. But it risks paying a serious diplomatic price for it, writes Paul Melly.

WORLD HEADLINES

Middle East: The US has sent a guided missile submarine to the region, while it remains unclear how and when Iran might respond to the assassination of Hamas's top political leader Ismail Haniyeh on its soil.

Ceasefire talks: Hamas has said that any resumption of negotiations with Israel over a truce in Gaza should be based on the framework introduced by US president Joe Biden in May, rather than on any new plan.

Greek wildfires: Thousands of residents are being evacuated from their homes as a large fire is spreading north of Athens. Follow our live coverage here.

Budding bromance: US Republican candidate Donald Trump is expected to sit down with billionaire Elon Musk for what many expect to be a convivial chat. Mike Wendling explains how the two men have grown closer over the years.

In Venezuela: The opposition coalition has called for protests to be held worldwide on 17 August in support of its claim to have won the country's presidential election against Nicolás Maduro.

AT THE SCENE

Tubas, West Bank

'On verge of an explosion'

The killing of Palestinian policeman Abdel Nasser Sarhan during an Israeli operation in the West Bank has contributed to mounting tensions and violence in the Israeli-occupied territory. Some veteran observers fear that armed clashes could erupt into a new intifada - a full-scale uprising.

Paul Adams, diplomatic correspondent

When a white van drew up next to the office of the Palestine Customs Police in Tubas, a town in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Abdel Nasser Sarhan had no reason to be suspicious. According to Abdel Nasser's colleagues, the van’s driver got out and greeted him in Arabic. It was early in the morning. The 24-year-old uniformed policeman had just come on shift. CCTV pictures show him strolling out past a guard post, his rifle slung casually at his side. Seconds later, a man in jeans and a dark T-shirt emerges from the direction of the white van, uniformed Israeli soldiers behind him. He raises a handgun and shoots Abdel Nasser dead.

Read in full

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

A fortnight of Olympic joy

A BMX rider is performing a trick in front of the Concorde obelisk.

BMX gold medalist Jose Torres Gil from Argentina. Credit: AFP

The Paris Olympics has come to an end with Tom Cruise descending from the roof of the Stade de France to bring the Games' five-ringed flag to their next host, Los Angeles. Over the past two weeks, the City of Light and its monuments have given a stunning backdrop to the feats of athletes from around the world.

See the pictures

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Floating 'round my tin can

Astronauts sometimes get stuck in space. Here's what they do.

Read the story

And finally...

Athletic prowess was not the only thing on display in Paris. While some competitors did not bring home the gold, they did have their viral moment. From an Australian breakdancer to a Norwegian muffin lover, here's what you might have missed.

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