UKRAINE has destroyed a Russian bridge and damaged another (Shutterstock).

Ukraine’s success in its “incursion” into Russian territory has surprised many, and now the strategy behind it has been revealed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that the intent was a create a “buffer zone” outside his nation’s territory; in-effect pushing the front lines forward.

“It is now our primary task in defensive operations overall; to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions,” said Zelenskyy in his Sunday video statement.

Over the weekend, Ukrainian forces have destroyed a major Russian bridge and damaged another with the intent of snarling Russian supply lines.

The incursion has taken control of dozens of cities and towns in the Kursk region covering an estimated 390 square miles, according to Ukraine.

Harris, Trump campaign in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania got plenty of attention this weekend as presidential politics landed in the Keystone State, with both nominees campaigning there.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and veep nominee Tim Walz were in Rochester, Pa. on Sunday as part of a bus tour of the state. The campaign unveiled a slogan: “A new way forward.”

Harris, leading in most of the polls, nevertheless said she didn’t consider her team in first. “I very much consider us the underdogs.”

Former president Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, held a rally on Saturday in Wilkes-Barre. Both campaigns are aiming to build support in the western part of the state, which Trump carried in 2016 and which President Joe Biden carried in 2020. The Democratic National Convention begins in Chicago on Monday.

Dodgers over Cardinals, 2-1

It only took a few runs to win games on Sunday. The Los Angeles Dodgers had just enough, winning 2-1 over the St. Louis Cardinals. Clayton Kershaw (2-2) pitched a gem for the Blue Crew, working six shutout innings and yielding four hits and no runs. He struck out two.

Shohei Ohtani hit his 39th homer of the year – a solo shot in the fifth – and Miguel Rojas then drove in Mookie Betts with what proved to be the winning run with a single.

The Dodgers are now 73-52 and  still lead the National League West by three games over the San Diego Padres. LAD opens a new series at home against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.

Hitless Halos fall to Braves

Solo runs in the first, fourth and eighth lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday in Anaheim.

The Halos could only manage three hits in the game. The one Angel run came in the fifth when Mickey Moniak was hit by a pitch, forcing in Brandon Drury from third.

Jack Kochanowicz (1-3) was impressive in the loss, lasting six innings and yielding seven hits and two runs. He walked three and struck out none.

With the loss, the Angels are 53-71, tied for the final rung in the American League West with the Oakland A’s. After five defeats in six games at home, the Orange County team will hit the road on Tuesday visiting the Kansas City Royals.

Weather:  Warmer then cooler

The trend toward warmer weather for our West Orange County area should peak on Monday and then gradually cool. Monday’s daytime high should be 88 with an overnight low of 65. Tuesday will cool slightly to 87 and Wednesday to 84, with overnight lows of 65 and 66. Thursday is expected to drop all the way to 77, with a low of 64. Skies will be partly cloudy all that time.