In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has made substantial territorial gains in Russia’s Kursk region, with President Volodymyr Zelensky announcing control over 74 settlements. This claim represents a significant increase from earlier reports and contradicts Russian accounts of the situation. The Ukrainian military reports advancing 1-3 kilometers in some areas, capturing an additional 40 square kilometers of territory in just one day.Since the operation began on August 6, Ukrainian forces have reportedly taken control of approximately 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory. However, Russian sources dispute these figures, with the acting governor of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, stating that Ukrainian forces have only advanced 12 kilometers along a 40-kilometer front.The incursion has led to a humanitarian crisis, with over 120,000 people displaced from the Kursk region. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi emphasized that Ukraine’s goal is not to annex Russian territory but to protect Ukrainian lives and force Russia into peace negotiations. ‘The sooner Russia agrees to restore a just peace, especially based on the peace formula that leads to this peace, the sooner the Ukrainian defense forces’ attacks on Russian territory will stop,’ Tykhyi stated.Russia claims to have repelled Ukrainian attacks and inflicted significant losses on Ukrainian forces. The Russian Defense Ministry reports eliminating 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers, 35 tanks, and over 200 vehicles since August 6. However, these claims cannot be independently verified.The international community is closely watching these developments. Some Western experts suggest that Ukraine’s offensive in the Kursk region could be a strategic move to gain leverage in potential negotiations or to demonstrate its continued military capabilities to Western allies. The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides continuing to reinforce their positions and conduct military operations.
Key points
- Ukraine claims control over 74 settlements in Russia’s Kursk region, capturing approximately 1,000 square kilometers of territory.
- Over 120,000 people have been displaced from the Kursk region due to the conflict.
- Ukraine states its goal is not to annex Russian territory but to protect Ukrainian lives and force Russia into peace negotiations.
- Russia disputes Ukraine’s claims and reports inflicting significant losses on Ukrainian forces.
Contradictions👾Ukraine claims control over 74 settlements, while Russia reports repelling Ukrainian attacks and limiting their advance.
👾Ukraine reports capturing around 1,000 square kilometers, but Russian sources claim the advance is limited to 12 kilometers along a 40-kilometer front.
