Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged for the first time on August 10 that his country’s military was fighting in Russia’s Kursk Region. He said the operation was part of Kiev’s efforts to “seek justice.”
Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border attack on the town of Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk Region early on August 6. This is the largest attack on Russian territory since the conflict broke out with Ukraine.
Kiev has kept quiet about the Kursk operation for days. But in a speech on the evening of August 10, President Zelensky said he had discussed the offensive with the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi. He also mentioned the fighting that the Ukrainian army has faced on the harsh eastern front.
“Today I received a number of reports from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi about the front line, and our actions aimed at pushing the war into enemy territory,” Zelensky said. “I am grateful to every unit of the defense forces. Ukraine is proving that we can really restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on Russia.”
Mr Zelensky had earlier alluded to Ukraine’s border campaign, praising the military’s ability to “unexpectedly” strike, and thanking them for taking Russian soldiers prisoner for use in future negotiations.
He also mentioned the situation in the Sumy Region (northern Ukraine), which borders Russia’s Kursk Region. In response to the Ukrainian campaign, Russia has stepped up its attacks with guided bombs and other airstrikes in Sumy, forcing mass evacuations.