Ukraine has claimed that their forces now control 74 communities in the Russian city of Kursk, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that they must make full use of their achievements. The Ukrainian military commander has confirmed that Ukrainian forces now control 74 settlements in Kursk, covering 1,000 square kilometers. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the soldiers and commanders involved in the offensive and emphasized the importance of replenishing the exchange fund. The Governor of Russia’s Belgorad region has declared a regionwide state of emergency as Ukrainian forces continue their attack.
The incursion into Russia by Ukrainian forces began eight days ago and has been unprecedented in its use of Ukrainian military units on Russian soil. Russian forces were caught off guard by Ukraine’s approach and are still scrambling to respond. More than 100,000 Russian civilians have fled the region as a result of the conflict. The Russian Defence Ministry claims that Russian army units have stopped Ukrainian armored mobile groups from moving deeper into Russia near Kursk settlements. The Kremlin has criticized Ukraine’s western allies for failing to condemn Ukraine’s assault and accused Ukrainian forces of killing civilians.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Ukraine’s incursion is an attempt to stop Moscow’s offensive in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region and gain leverage in possible future peace talks. He also claimed that Ukraine may have hoped the attack would cause public unrest in Russia, but that it has failed to do so. Putin stated that the number of volunteers to join the Russian military has increased because of the assault. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said the cross-border operation was aimed at protecting Ukrainian land from long-range strikes launched from Kursk, with Russia launching over 2,000 strikes from the region in recent months.
President Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of defending Ukraine’s interests and independence in his address, stating that Ukrainians have proven their ability to achieve goals in any situation. He mentioned paying attention to all frontline areas, including Donetsk, Kharkiv, and the South, with special focus on the Kursk region and protecting nearby border communities. Zelenskyy also assured that Russian servicemen who have surrendered will be treated humanely. Meanwhile, Russian forces are still struggling to respond to the unexpected Ukrainian incursion, which has led to a large number of Russian civilians fleeing the region.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated with the Ukrainian forces making significant territorial gains in the Russian city of Kursk. The Russian government has declared a state of emergency in the Belgorad region as the area continues to be under attack. The Kremlin has criticized Ukraine’s assault, accusing Ukrainian forces of killing civilians and attempting to gain leverage in potential peace talks. Ukrainian forces continue to press forward, with President Zelenskyy emphasizing the importance of their achievements and the defense of Ukrainian interests. The situation remains tense, with both sides engaged in military actions and the humanitarian crisis escalating with the fleeing of Russian civilians from the region.
