I'm Frances Dernley and this is Ukraine, the latest.

Today we reflect on the continuing Ukrainian operation into Russia,

as reports come in about seized settlements and Keeves

forces even setting up an office in Kursk. Then we look at the implications for

the Russian economy as reality bites and deep dive into Moscow's response to this growing crisis.

Bravering takes you through the most unimaginable hardships to finally reward you with victory.

The first duty of my government is security and defence to make clear our unshakable support of NATO and with our allies towards Ukraine.

Keep standing strong.

Nobody is going to break us. We are strong. We are Ukrainians.

It's Wednesday, the 15th of August, two years and 178 days since the full scale invasion began.

Today I'm joined by our associate editor of Defense Dominic Nichols,

our economics editor Sue Chan,

and calling in live from Washington, D.C.

Catalina Stepanenko from the Russia team at the Institute for the Study of War.

I started by asking Dom however for the latest news from the front lines in Ukraine and Russia.

Well, hi Francis, hi team, so marginal advances in the last 24 hours by Ukrainian forces in

Kursk and Belgrade, Oblast in Russia.

This is likely due to the increasing Russian reinforcements being pushed into the region.

There's been a slight expansion of the assessed Ukrainian positions to the east and the

northeast of Coronovo. That's the town sort of 20 K's issue or so north of Zer. That's based on reports from Russia's MOD about where they say they have

been repelling Ukrainian attacks. Now, they may well have repelled them. As I said yesterday,

Ukrainian forces may be attempting to bypass areas where they contact Russian forces.

...