Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukrainian forces currently hold control over 74 settlements in Russia's Kursk border region. This marks a significant increase from the previous report by the Kursk governor, who had indicated on Monday that Ukraine controlled 28 settlements.
In his evening address on Tuesday, Zelensky confirmed the expanded control, stating, "There are 74 settlements under the control of Ukraine." He emphasized that despite ongoing and intense battles, the progress of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region remains steady.
Zelensky shared a video showing a conversation with military chief Oleksandr Syrsky, who reported that Ukrainian forces have made advances of between 1 and 3 kilometers in various areas.
The incursion into Russia's Kursk border region began on August 6. By August 12, Ukrainian authorities reported having secured control over approximately 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory. The Kursk region spans nearly 30,000 square kilometers, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Maryland or Germany's Brandenburg.
On August 12, Russian regional officials claimed that Ukraine controlled only 28 settlements in the Kursk region and that the incursion had penetrated up to 12 kilometers along a 40-kilometer front. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi updated on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had advanced by an additional 3 kilometers and secured another 40 square kilometers of Russian territory.
Zelensky assured that he remains "constantly in touch" with Syrskyi regarding the developments in Kursk, noting that despite the challenging and fierce battles, progress continues.
Zelensky also mentioned that efforts are underway to establish "humanitarian solutions for these territories."
In response to queries, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stated that Ukraine does not aim to seize territory but is focused on "protecting the lives of our people." Tykhyi explained that the incursion into Kursk is intended to deter Moscow from reinforcing its positions in Donbas and to halt Russian cross-border attacks.
He also noted that since the start of summer, Ukraine's Sumy region has experienced over 2,000 strikes from various weapons systems, including multiple launch rocket systems, mortars, drones, guided bombs, and missiles, all originating from the Kursk region. Tykhyi lamented that Ukraine lacks the long-range strike capabilities necessary to effectively counter these threats.
Read also | Cyberattack Causes Delay in Musk's Interview with Trump
Read also | Trump Vows to Abolish U.S. Department of Education
