MOSCOW: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged Ukraine’s offensive into Russia’s Kursk region for the first time on Thursday, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict. In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy remarked, “Russia brought the war to our land and should feel what it has done,” expressing gratitude to the Ukrainian military for their efforts. He praised the dedication of Ukrainian soldiers and commanders in achieving their defensive objectives, emphasizing their resolve to reach their goals.
The offensive, which began on the night of August 5-6, involved intensified shelling of the Kursk region, followed by an incursion of Ukrainian infantry, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, near the city of Sudzha. Initially, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that around 300 Ukrainian troops, 11 tanks, and 20 armored vehicles had crossed the border. However, on Wednesday, Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov revised the figure, stating that approximately 1,000 Ukrainian servicemen were involved in the battle.
Experts speculate that the Ukrainian assault may aim to achieve several objectives, including the destruction of the Sudzha gas station, which is critical for Russia’s gas supply to Europe, diverting Russian attention from the Donbass region, damaging the railway supplying Russian forces in Kharkiv, and boosting the morale of the Ukrainian army. Concerns have also been raised regarding the Kursk nuclear power plant’s safety, prompting heightened security measures by the Russian Guard Corps.
The Kursk regional authorities reported casualties from the Ukrainian attack, including five civilians—a paramedic, an ambulance driver, and a 24-year-old pregnant woman—and 66 injuries, among them six children. They have called for a major evacuation from the conflict zone. Russian war correspondent Evgeny Poddubny, initially reported as killed, was later confirmed to be alive but severely injured.
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Ukraine’s actions as a “major provocation” and an “indiscriminate attack” involving various weapons, including missiles, targeting civilian facilities, residential buildings, and ambulance vehicles. While Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility, several high-ranking Ukrainian officials have indirectly confirmed Kyiv’s involvement in the operation.
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