Ukraine has made significant territorial gains in the Russian city of Kursk, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that Ukrainian forces now control 74 communities in the region. Zelenskyy praised the military personnel involved in the offensive and emphasized the importance of maintaining their achievements. The incursion into Russia began eight days ago and caught Russian forces off guard, leading to over 100,000 Russian civilians fleeing the region.
The Ukrainian military commander reported that Ukrainian forces have secured 1,000 square kilometers of territory in Kursk. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the soldiers’ efforts and highlighted the need to replenish the exchange fund. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the attack was an attempt to hinder Moscow’s operations in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region and gain leverage in future peace talks. However, Zelenskyy stated that the operation was aimed at protecting Ukrainian land from long-range strikes launched from Kursk.
The Governor of Russia’s Belgorad region has declared a state of emergency as Ukrainian forces continue to advance. Meanwhile, the Kremlin accused Ukraine’s western allies of failing to condemn the assault and criticized Ukrainian forces for allegedly killing civilians. Despite Russia’s attempts to stop the Ukrainian offensive, Ukrainian forces have pushed forward, causing concern among Russian officials.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia in the Kursk region has escalated, with the use of military units on Russian soil being unprecedented. Russian forces are struggling to respond to Ukraine’s approach, which has led to a significant number of civilian casualties. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi stated that Russia had launched thousands of strikes from Kursk in recent months, prompting Ukraine to take action to protect its land from further attacks.
President Zelenskyy affirmed Ukraine’s commitment to defending its borders and gaining control of strategic territories in the Kursk region. He thanked the soldiers and commanders involved in the offensive and emphasized the need to maintain and build upon their achievements. The incursion has caused a state of emergency in the Belgorad region and has led to significant displacement of Russian civilians.
In response to the conflict, the Russian government has mobilized additional military units, including reserves, aircraft, drone teams, and artillery forces to halt the Ukrainian advance. President Putin criticized Ukraine’s western allies for their lack of condemnation and accused Ukrainian forces of targeting civilians. Despite the challenges faced by Russian forces, Putin claimed that the assault has not caused public unrest in Russia and has even increased volunteer enlistment in the military.
