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The 5 tragic minutes that sank a superyacht

PORTICELLO, Italy — Survivors of a storm that sank a superyacht off Sicily recounted their ordeal to one of the doctors who rushed to their aid, with some saying it took mere minutes for the 180-foot ship to go down. 

Dr. Fabio Genco, head of the Palermo Emergency Medical Services, told NBC News on the phone Thursday that he arrived in the seaside village of Porticello before dawn Monday, about an hour after the $40 million Bayesian sank in the violent and sudden storm.   

Of the 22 people onboard, 15 survived despite storm conditions and darkness, climbing onto a lifeboat before being rescued by a nearby sailboat. The crew members have made no public statements so far, though some have been interviewed by investigators.

“They told me that it was all dark, that the yacht hoisted itself up and then went down,” Genco said, recounting what the survivors told him. “All the objects were falling on them. That’s why I immediately made sure, by asking them questions, if they had any internal injuries,” he said. 

It appears they had just minutes to abandon the sinking ship, Genco said. 

“They told me that suddenly they found themselves catapulted into the water without even understanding how they had got there,” he said, “And that the whole thing seems to have lasted from 3 to 5 minutes.”

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini Navi, the Bayesian's shipbuilder, told Sky News that there were no flaws with the design or construction of the yacht. He said their structure and keel made boats like that “unsinkable bodies.”

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, he disavowed responsibility, blaming instead the actions of the crew. “Mistakes were made,” he said. 

Genco said one of his colleagues who arrived at the scene before him initially thought that only three people survived, but the coast guard reported there were other survivors and more emergency services were called in. 

When Genco arrived, he found scenes of panic and despair. 

“Unfortunately, we are used to such panic scenes because we are used to the shipwrecks that happen on Lampedusa ,” Genco said, referring to the island southwest of Sicily, where the wreckage of boats carrying migrants on the sea journey from North Africa to Italy are often found . 

Six of the passengers were declared missing Monday, and by Thursday, the bodies of five had been recovered from the wreck , some 160 feet underwater.

Among those who survived is Angela Bacares, wife of the British tech mogul Mike Lynch , whose body was recovered Thursday. 

Another survivor has been identified as Charlotte Emsley, 35. She told the Italian news agency ANSA that she had momentarily lost hold of her year-old daughter, Sofia, in the water but managed to retrieve her and hold her over the waves until a lifeboat inflated and they were pulled into safety.

Dr. Domenico Cipolla at the Di Cristina Children’s Hospital in Palermo is also part of a team of medical professionals treating the shipwreck survivors. He told the BBC on Wednesday that Emsley and her daughter, as well as the father of the child, who Cipolla said also survived, are continuing to receive psychological help. 

“Psychological support was constant and is constant even today, because basically it is the wounds of the soul that are the most in need of healing in these cases,” Cipolla said.

Genco also told NBC News that he was especially concerned about the child. “She did not understand anything. She was soaking wet and cold,” he said. 

Karsten Borner, the Dutch captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell, a yacht that was anchored near the Bayesian, said by phone Wednesday that he saw a thunderstorm come in at around 4 a.m. local time (10 p.m. ET) Monday, followed by what looked like a waterspout, a type of tornado that forms over water. 

The International Centre for Waterspout Research noted on X that there was a “waterspout outbreak” off Italy on Monday, the day the Bayesian sank. 

“I turned on the engine and made maneuvers so that we wouldn’t collide with the Bayesian, which was anchored about 100 meters from us,” Borner said. “Then all of a sudden it disappeared. Then the wind calmed down, we looked around and saw a red flare.”

Borner said he got into his boat’s tender and saw a life raft with 15 people on it. Members of the crew were administering first aid. 

“I don’t know why it sank so quickly, but it may have something to do with the mast which was incredibly long,” he said. Questions have been raised about whether the mast was to blame for the accident as tall masts, even with the sails down, have more surface area exposed to the wind, which can contribute to tipping a vessel in a storm.

The CCTV footage that emerged Tuesday showed the yacht’s 250-foot mast, believed to be one of the tallest aluminum sailing masts in the world, lashed by the storm as it appears to tilt to one side before disappearing.

Claudia Rizzo is an Italy based journalist.

Claudio Lavanga is Rome-based foreign correspondent for NBC News.

Yuliya Talmazan is a reporter for NBC News Digital, based in London.

Superyacht sinks latest: Investigators reveal where bodies were found as probe looks at 'crew's responsibility'

Italian officials revealed at a news conference there could be "a question of manslaughter" as they opened a shipwreck investigation and said the probe is also looking at the "crew's responsibility".

Saturday 24 August 2024 18:33, UK

• Superyacht sinking

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• Prosecutor: There 'could be a question of manslaughter'
• Probe 'concentrating' on crew's responsibility
• Seven bodies recovered after five-day search of superyacht wreckage off Sicily
• Saturday's papers pay tribute to youngest victim Hannah Lynch
• Hannah's sister pays tribute to 'my little angel'
• Explained: Inside the superyacht | What challenges have faced divers?
• Eyewitness: Sombre scenes greet rescue teams as final body is brought ashore
• Live reporting by Niamh Lynch

We're ending our live coverage for this evening but here is a recap of what we know:

• Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation into the Bayesian sinking;
• Officials have revealed more details on their investigation and the difficult five-day rescue mission;
• The six bodies found during the search in recent days were all in cabins on the left-hand - and highest - side of the ship. Five were found in the first cabin and the sixth was found in the third;
• Prosecutors said the six passengers were most likely asleep when the boat sank;
• The probe is now focusing on the crew and their responsibilities, with the captain set to undergo more questioning.

Monday 19 August

The Bayesian yacht, flying a British flag, sinks at around 5am local time when the area was hit by a tornado.

Fifteen people are rescued from the 56 metre vessel - including a mother and baby - but another seven remain missing.

One body, later confirmed to be the yacht's chef Recaldo Thomas, is found near the wreck.

It emerges that British technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah are among six people that remain missing.

Tuesday 20 August

The search continues for the six tourists missing.

It is reported that among those missing are Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.

Police divers try to reach the hull of the ship, resting at a depth of 50 metres.

Italy's fire brigade Vigili del Fuoco say early inspections of the wreck were "unsuccessful" because of limited access to the bridge and furniture obstructing passages.

The operation is later described as "complex", with divers limited to 12-minute underwater shifts.

Tributes pour in for Mr Thomas, with his friend Gareth Williams saying: "I can talk for everyone that knew him when I say he was a well-loved, kind human being with a calm spirit."

Wednesday 21 August

The search for the six people unaccounted for enters a third day, with crews carrying out inspections of the yacht's internal hull.

A team of four British inspectors from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) arrive in Porticello to look at the site of the sinking.

A helicopter is drafted in to help with the search effort and remotely controlled underwater vehicles are being used, with naval units and cave divers also taking part in the search.

Five bodies are found inside the yacht on Wednesday afternoon. Only four of them are brought to shore.

Body bags are seen being taken to Porticello in the afternoon where dozens of emergency services staff wait.

Searches finish for the day just before 7.30pm.

Thursday 22 August

The search resumes for the remaining missing person.

The body of the fifth missing person, found but not recovered the previous day, is brought to shore.

A fire service boat with flashing blue lights returns with a blue body bag to the port of Porticello just after 8.45am local time on Thursday.

Tributes pour in for Mr Lynch and Mr and Mrs Bloomer after they are identified as having died.

The search is called off at around 8pm in Sicily, with divers expected to begin again at 6.30am on Friday.

Friday 23  August

The search continues for the final person missing from the wreck of the Bayesian, Hannah Lynch.

Vincenzo Zagarola, of the Italian Coastguard, says the search for Hannah has not been "easy or quick", comparing the sunken yacht to an "18-storey building full of water".

The coastguard confirms in the late morning that her body has been found.

A green body bag is brought to the port of Porticello from the site of the sinking.

A spokesperson announces on behalf of the Lynch family that they are "devastated" and "in shock" after the deaths of Mike and Hannah.

Hannah's sister Esme pays tribute to her "little angel".

Saturday 24 August

A press conference is held in the court of an Italian town, Termini Imerese.

Public prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio tells reporters that his office has opened an initial investigation against unknown persons into manslaughter and negligent shipwreck.

As the focus now turns to the manslaughter investigation, here's another reminder of the seven victims of the sinking and the 15 people who survived. 

A close friend of the Lynch family has added to the chorus of tributes for British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, who died in Monday's superyacht sinking.

Susannah Gurdun, who lives in Suffolk, recalled being "daunted" when she first met Mr Lynch at a dinner party, before discovering he was "so much more than the corporate cliche".

"He was riveting.  He was funny, and kind, and endlessly interesting; capable of talking about anything and everything," she said.

Ms Gardun said the businessman also had a "thrilling ability" to make complicated subjects "accessible to those of us less blessed with a science acumen".

"In particular, he was wonderful with children.  I will never forget hearing him explain to a group of them - including our ten year old son - the physics of why the sky went pink at sunset," she said.

She went on describe Mr Lynch as a "true genius" and "phenomenal creative".

Ms Gardun said his daughter Hannah was also showing "serious literary promise", and added that it was "beyond tragic that we will never know where her own particular brilliance might have led".

"I still feel blessed to have shared that time with them in Spain.  Not just because I witnessed Mike’s incredible storytelling; but because I was given a chance of understanding what that moment said about all four of them as a united vibrant loving family," she said.

"He was an extraordinary human being and it was - truly - a privilege to have known him."

A yacht crew member who survived the sinking has paid tribute to Hannah Lynch, calling her a "diamond in a sea of stars".

Sasha Murray, chief stewardess of the Bayesian, has released a statement after divers recovered the final missing body from the wreckage, which is believed to be 18-year-old Hannah.

"Those who knew her will know that Hannah was a diamond in a sea of stars," she said.

"Bright, beautiful and always shining. What most people may not have seen was the extraordinarily strong, deep and loving relationship she shared with her parents, whom she adored more than anything. 

"While swimming with them she often said, if anything ever happened she would save them. 

"I have no doubt that the Irish, Latina fire that burns in her soul kept that spirited determination alive."

Ms Murray's statement comes as a new image of Hannah Lynch and her father Mike Lynch is released:

Prosecutors announced in this morning's news conference that they have opened a manslaughter and negligent shipwreck investigation.

Officials were unable to answer several queries from the media, saying they needed time to establish the facts, but what are the key questions facing prosecutors? 

Why weren't passengers who remained on board the vessel warned about escaping from the yacht?

The prosecutor in charge of the case, Raffaele Cammarano, suggested that some passengers may have been asleep when others were awake.

Asked why they were not woken up or alerted, he said that is something investigators are trying to work out from the statements of the survivors.

He called it an "essential" part of the inquiry.

Why were several of the passengers in one cabin?

The press conference heard several bodies onboard the sunken yacht were found in a single cabin which was not theirs.

Mr Cammarano said investigators currently do not know the reason for them being discovered in the same cabin.

The chief of the Palermo fire service, Bentivoglio Fiandra, said the yacht pinned to the right and suggested people tried to go on the other side, taking refuge in cabins in the higher part of the wreck.

Why did the boat sink?

The vessel had been deemed "unsinkable" by its manufacturer - Italian shipyard Perini Navi.

The Bayesian was hit by a downburst, according to Mr Cammarano, which are powerful winds that descend from a thunderstorm and spread out quickly once they hit the ground.

Officials will look into the safety equipment on the sunken vessel.

Mr Cammarano was asked about whether there is a black box and if the hatches were left open.

He said investigators do not have exact information about the black box and that the first phase of the inquiry will look into it.

Why were nearby vessels not similarly affected?

Another yacht, the Sir Robert BP, was about 150 to 200 metres from the Bayesian when extreme weather hit.

Its crew helped to rescue 15 people from the stricken vessel.

Italian officials said they would be looking at how the downburst could affect one vehicle and not other nearby vessels.

What weather warnings was the Bayesian alerted to?

Maritime director of western Sicily, Rear Admiral Raffaele Macauda, said the weather at the time of the yacht's sinking was abnormal and there was nothing to suggest such an extreme situation would arise.

He said there were forecasts of winds and a storm alert, but there was no warning of a tornado.

"Given that the conditions were such, there wasn't anything to suggest there could be an extreme situation arising," he said.

"There are vessels that can monitor, after all, these events and one would have thought that the captain had taken precautions."

How long will it take to recover the sailing vessel?

Mr Macauda could not confirm how long it would take to retrieve the shipwreck of the sunken yacht.

"Everything depends on the availability of the owners and the timeframe of the retrieval of the wreck and of course all that has to be submitted to the port authorities and in parallel of course there will be the inquiry results and it's only really then that we will be able to authorise the operation," he said.

"I can't say, like some experts who have already spoken on the subject, [said] that it will be eight weeks."

He made clear that the owners will bear the full cost of retrieval, although he could not estimate the figure.

Italian authorities detailed the challenging and meticulous rescue operation to recover the six missing people from the Bayesian wreck (see 9.18am post).

But why was the five-day search so difficult? 

Read more below...

More on this morning's press conference. 

One of the main updates from prosecutors was that they have opened manslaughter and shipwreck investigations after the deaths of seven people in the Bayesian sinking. 

Watch the announcement below...

Prosecutors have given a lengthy news conference this morning on their investigation into the sinking of the Bayesian. 

Read the full report on the prosecutors' probe below...

Marine investigator James Wilkes has been speaking to Sky News after this morning's press conference.

"Naturally, there are more questions than there are substantive answers at the moment - that's the nature of investigative work.

"Something forced that yacht to roll beyond its nominal stability limits, such that it wasn't able to right itself with the ingress of a certain amount of seawater that was coming into the yacht. 

"So the investigators are going to ask themselves one initial question - what must the conditions have been for this to happen? 

"Then they are going to look at the contributing factors to the yacht, sinking, and, and the unfortunate loss of life." 

Prosecutors said this morning that the future of the investigation is reliant on recovering the wreck. 

Mr Wilkes said the yacht is a "major piece of physical evidence in and of itself." 

"It's lying at 50 metres, which is a recoverable depth. 

"If it was significantly deeper, then I'm not sure they'd be considering salvage at this stage or certainly, the salvage question would be a lot more complicated to answer. 

"But if there was the ability to raise that yacht in one piece safely, then it gives the investigators physically more to look at."

Mr Wilkes said he was unsure if the yacht would have a "black box" - called a voyage data recorder in shipping. 

"It would record things like GPS position, heading speed, engine telemetry, whether the radars were on, what they were recording, alarms, communications from the yacht itself, any audio on the bridge.

"But more often than not, these are on merchant ships. The yacht was a commercial yacht in the sense that it could be chartered out so it's quite possible it has a voyage data recorder on, but I'm not sure that it does. I don't know that as a matter of fact," he said.

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More From Forbes

Million-dollar bashes: a peek inside the 1%'s favorite party destinations.

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Yachts, villas, and private performances in lavish destinations are all the makings of a party for ... [+] the wealthy.

When it comes to throwing a party, the wealthy don't just settle for a local venue—they go all out with destination celebrations that are as extravagant as they are unforgettable. And it's not just about destination weddings anymore. From milestone birthdays to exclusive events, these high-profile parties are taking place in some of the most luxurious and remote locations across the globe. Steve Einzig, CEO of BookingEntertainment.com , who has booked events on every continent—except Antarctica—says it best:

“The locations are a huge part of the experience of the party as it becomes part of the uniqueness of seeing an A-list act in such an intimate setting. Not only are the guests having a once in a lifetime concert experience, it’s happening in an incredible location that is not usually used for concerts (a private villa, a yacht or an estate for example). If we can time the sunset with the time of the concert, that can also bring another incredible dimension to the experience as well.”

With that in mind, here are some incredible locations where Einzig and his team have helped clients book entertainment for some of the most over-the-top bashes.

Turks & Caicos – A Caribbean Dream at Amanyara

Imagine this: A two-night private party for 75 guests, held behind a $25 million villa at the prestigious Amanyara resort in Turks & Caicos. The first night? The Wailers. The second night? Earth, Wind & Fire. Yes, you read that right.

For those familiar with Amanyara, it's an extraordinary collection of private villas set along the ocean on the remote side of the island. Each villa is its own oasis, complete with a private chef, guest houses, pools, and a pristine beach. Hosting a concert under the stars on the private beach of one of these lavish villas is nothing short of magical. The ocean waves, the Caribbean breeze, and iconic music legends—this is the ultimate party venue.

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Trump vs. harris 2024 polls: harris leads trump in latest post-dnc surveys, today’s nyt mini crossword clues and answers for wednesday, august 28th, yacht in porto santo stefano – a mediterranean surprise.

Take a 257-foot yacht, anchor it off the coast of Porto Santo Stefano, and surprise your guests with a performance by the Gipsy Kings. Sounds like a dream? Well, it happened.

The yacht was stationed on the Mediterranean coast, just an hour north of Rome, and the surprise element was key. The band was secretly brought on board via a tender and sneaked through an ocean-level door, up the elevator, and into the galley, which had been transformed into a green room. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the birthday boy had no clue what was coming. When the Gipsy Kings started playing, the evening turned into an unforgettable Mediterranean experience, with the stunning backdrop of the Italian coastline.

Barbados – Rock Legends at Mick Jagger's Former Home

How about a private concert with Bon Jovi at Mick Jagger's old house in Barbados? This mansion, now owned by the client who hosted the party, sits on a cliff overlooking the ocean, with two levels that create a natural stage for rock legends.

The setup was ideal: a top-level mansion, a staircase leading down to a pool house, a lawn, and a cliff that plunges 200 feet to the ocean below. The bands performed with the ocean as their backdrop under a full moon that reflected perfectly off the water. It was nothing short of spectacular, a rock-and-roll fantasy come to life.

Tuscany – A Lavish 21st Birthday Bash on a Private Beach

Picture this: A 21st birthday party for the daughter of the Lavazza coffee empire owner, hosted on a private beach in Piombino, Tuscany. The event was an elaborate dinner celebration, capped off with a surprise performance by international DJ Robin Schulz.

The whole event was so grand that news stations covered it from afar. Tuscany's natural beauty, an exclusive beach, and world-class entertainment combined to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the guests.

Amangiri Hotel, Utah – Desert Elegance Meets Surprise Performance

For a more remote yet equally luxurious option, consider hosting a milestone celebration at the ultra-luxurious Amangiri Hotel in Utah. Imagine a custom yurt and stage built in the middle of a canyon, with 150 guests enjoying a surprise performance by Nelly. The unique desert setting, coupled with the hotel's opulent accommodations, made for an unforgettable 50th birthday party that could easily have cost a few million dollars. The lighting setup alone, bouncing off the canyon walls, turned the desert into an ethereal dreamscape.

These destinations prove that when it comes to throwing a truly over-the-top bash, the sky's the limit—and so is the budget. From private islands in the Caribbean to luxury yachts in the Mediterranean and even secluded desert canyons in Utah, each location offers something unique and spectacular. So, if you're planning a milestone birthday, an exclusive event, or just want to throw a party that no one will forget, these destinations are where memories (and possibly a few million dollars) are made. Now, the only question is: Where will you throw your next legendary bash?

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Last key bridge in Kursk region struck as Ukraine attempts to sever Russia's supply lines

By Annika Burgess

Topic: Armed Conflict

Ukraine caught Russia off-guard when it stormed across the border into Russia's Kursk region on August 6. ( Reuters: Viacheslav Ratynskyi )

Ukrainian forces have struck all three major bridges over the Seym River in the Kursk region, according to Russian sources.

Analysts say Kyiv appears to be trying to isolate the stretch of Kursk territory and cut off supply lines to Russian troops.

What's next?

Moscow is expected to begin organising its defences, while Ukraine will need to defend the territory it has gained during its incursion into the territory.

As Ukraine's incursion into Russian territory enters its third week, key bridges have been coming under attack.

Over four days, three bridges in the Kursk region were either destroyed or damaged. 

Analysts say these were part of critical supply lines for Russian troops defending the area.

And it will hinder Moscow's efforts to push back Kyiv's advance into western Russia, which is causing a major dilemma for President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine claims its forces now control more than 1,250 square kilometres and 93 settlements across Kursk, which sits along its north-eastern border.

The incursion is the biggest invasion of Russia since World War II, and is changing the trajectory of the war.

But analysts say Ukraine still has a long way to go, and now needs to defend the territory it has gained. 

Bridges under attack 

The Seym River snakes westward through a large part of the Kursk region and continues to Ukraine. 

Along the river, three main bridges provided the only routes for Russia to get supplies and reinforcements to and from the area.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian military bloggers and officials, they have all come under attack.

Bridges reportedly damaged along the Seym River

With the bridges destroyed, part of the Kursk region is severed from the rest of Russia and logistical support.  ( ABC Digital News Graphics: Source - Institute for the Study of War, territory held by Ukraine )

On Friday, the first of the bridges fell in the town of Glushkovo.

The Ukrainian Air Force posted a video on social media claiming to show the moment of impact.

Russian media and military bloggers claimed the bridge was struck by two volleys of missiles from a US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

Glushkovo is about 12km north of the Ukrainian border, and approximately 16km north-west of the main battle zone in Kursk. 

The Russian MASH news outlet claimed on Telegram that part of the district had been cut off.

It said the civilian population could now only be evacuated by water.

A satellite image shows a bridge collapsed over the Seym river in the Glushkovo district. ( Planet Labs via Reuters )

In the nearby village of Zvannoye, a second bridge was bombed on Saturday, creating a large hole along the roadway, according to analysis by the US Institute for the Study of War.

There are conflicting reports about the extent of the damage and whether the bridge is still passable. 

Zvannoye is located another 8km to the north-west of Glushkovo.

"Minus one more bridge!" the Ukrainian Air Force commander, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, wrote on Telegram.

He said his forces had destroyed the two bridges to weaken enemy logistics.

A satellite image shows a strategic bridge over the Seym River that has been destroyed in Zvannoye. ( Planet Labs Inc. Handout via Reuters )

Russia reported damage to a third bridge on Monday in the village of Karyzh.

Kyiv was yet to comment on the attack.

By taking out the last standing link in the area, analysts say Ukraine may be trying to encircle Russian troops in the area of about 700 sq km.

It is not clear how many Russian troops could potentially be trapped.

Ukrainian media and Russian military bloggers were reporting that the destruction of the three bridges had left about 80 Russian villages in the area without road access to points north and east. 

Russia was reportedly building floating pontoon bridges to transfer its forces, and was attempting to evacuate civilians on small boats. 

But pontoon bridges would be particularly vulnerable to HIMARS attacks and other air strikes. 

HIMARS rockets have been integral for Ukraine in a defensive and offensive capacity in the war against Russia. ( Supplied: US Army )

HIMARS are one of Ukraine's most advanced US-provided systems , and have been integral in Kyiv's ability to challenge Russia. 

Ukraine was only recently granted permission to use US-supplied weapons for limited strikes in Russian territory.

When asked about the weapons used in Kursk last week, the Pentagon said Ukraine was "taking actions to protect themselves from attacks that are coming from a region that are within the US policy".

What Ukraine is trying to achieve 

Analysts say it appears Ukraine is attempting to isolate the stretch of Kursk territory which lies just west of the invasion zone.

The Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies said the attacks "suggest that the objective of Ukrainian defence forces is to take control of a portion of Kursk Oblast south of the Seym".

Malcolm Davis, senior analyst in defence capability at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the impact was intended to be felt beyond the Kursk region.

By targeting the bridges, Ukraine was cutting off logistical supplies to Russian forces deployed in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian servicemen near the Russian border in Sumy region. ( Reuters: Viacheslav Ratynskyi )

The situation along the eastern frontline has been increasingly difficult for Ukraine under tremendous Russian pressure, Dr Davis said. 

Russia wants control of all parts of Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk, which together make up the Donbas industrial region.

"By cutting those bridges, it makes it very difficult for the Russians to send munition supplies to those forces," Dr Davis said.

"Basically, it's about reducing Russian combat capability through taking out supply lines.

"The Ukrainians want to weaken the capability of those forces, so they can eventually go back on the counter offensive in eastern Ukraine." 

Residents are being evacuated from Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. ( AP: Evgeniy Maloletka )

The incursion in Kursk hasn't calmed the fierce battle raging for the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk, which was at threat of falling to Russia.

The head of the local military administration, Serhiy Dobriak, said Russian troops were about 10km from the outskirts of the city, a transport hub for Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine to start digging in

Ukraine launched its surprise strike on the Kursk region on August 6 .

Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the military incursion aimed to create a "buffer zone", suggesting it could prevent attacks by Moscow from across the border.

Ukraine's top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said his forces had pushed 28 to 35km into Russia, capturing 1,263 sq km of territory, including 93 settlements.

More than 121,000 people have been evacuated from nine border districts in the Kursk region, Russia's emergencies ministry said.

Dr Davis said when the Ukrainians first went into Kursk, the Russians were in complete disarray.

But they were now expected to start getting their defences organised.

" What's happening now is the Ukrainian advance in Kursk is culminating, which means that they won't be able to necessarily advance that much further," he said.

"Ultimately, they will become fixed in place.

"They'll define a suitable defensive perimeter, pull back to that defensive perimeter, and defend that territory."

Rajan Menon, an international relations professor at The City College of New York, said the longer Ukraine could hold Russian territory, the better bargaining power it would have to find an end to the war. 

If Kyiv could defend territory in Kursk, then Mr Zelenskyy "has cards to play at the table".

"The game has changed, if the Ukrainians are able to sustain this operation," he told ABC News Daily.

"If it can hold this territory, it can say, 'We're prepared to withdraw from it, if you withdraw from places x,y,z.'

"So, the run-up to any political settlement that would occur has changed drastically, providing the Ukrainians can hold onto this terrain."

Belarus boosts defences

Belarus has claimed Ukrainian troops were also edging towards its territory.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko announced he had ordered almost a third of the army to the 1,084-km border with Ukraine.

Although he did not specify troop numbers, Belarus' army numbers are about 60,000.

Belarus has built up its defences, claiming Ukraine has sent about 120,000 troops to the border.  ( ABC News Digital Graphics )

Mr Lukashenko — a loyal ally of Mr Putin — accused Kyiv of aggressive policies and of sending more than 120,000 of its troops to the frontier with Belarus.

Dr Davis said the move wasn't particularly significant, describing the Belarusian military was "not that capable or strong".

And it was unlikely Belarus would enter the war anytime soon.

"What it does is distract the Ukrainians, and forces the Ukrainians to keep some forces in place in that area, just in case," he said.

"Belarusians came across the border into Ukraine, they would certainly not come out of it well."