Ukraine Continues Its Advance into Russian Territory
Ukraine says its troops are making progress in Russian territory, moving further into the Kursk region. Last week, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise attack on Kursk, prompting Russia to declare a state of emergency there.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his forces have advanced by 1-2 kilometers and captured 100 Russian soldiers. However, Russia claims it has halted further advances.
This operation is Ukraine’s deepest incursion into Russia since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Both countries have conflicting reports about the extent of Ukrainian control.
Russian officials say their forces have nearly blocked Ukrainian progress, while Ukraine asserts control over the Kursk town of Sudzha. Ukrainian TV even showed soldiers removing a Russian flag from a local school.
Despite these claims, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhy emphasized that Ukraine does not aim to seize Russian territory and seeks a peaceful resolution. Ukrainian officials are planning to set up a “security zone” in Kursk and provide humanitarian aid.
In response to the conflict, Russia has declared a second state of emergency in the Belgorod region due to drone attacks and shelling. Russian authorities reported shooting down 117 drones and experiencing attacks on several airfields.
US President Joe Biden commented that the offensive is causing significant challenges for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
European leaders, including those from Finland, Estonia, and Latvia, have expressed support for Ukraine’s actions, with some arguing that Ukraine has the right to use NATO weapons on Russian soil.
For further details, you can check out the full report by the BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj627x96gxxo