Operation in Kursk region helps frontline and complicates Russia's military logistics
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine, unlike Russia, does not seek to seize other people's territories. The Ukrainian side is not interested in taking away the territory of the Kursk region, states Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi.
He reminded that more than 2,000 strikes have been launched from the territory of the Kursk region into the Sumy region since the beginning of summer.
"Unfortunately, Ukraine cannot strike with the available long-range weapons to defend itself against this terror, there are no solutions that we insist on, so there is a need to use the Armed Forces to liberate these border areas from the Russian military contingent that strikes at Ukraine," Tykhyi said.
He emphasized that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are achieving the relevant goals in the Kursk region and will continue to act as necessary for the security and defense of Ukraine.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson added that the operation in the Kursk region helps the frontline.
"It prevents Russia from moving additional units to the Donetsk region and complicates its military logistics. The Armed Forces of Ukraine is a civilized European military force that fully complies with the laws and customs of warfare and international humanitarian law. The only targets of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are military facilities and military personnel," he said.
Tykhyi added that the purpose of the Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in the Kursk region is to save Ukrainian lives from Russian strikes.
"It was Russia that brought the war to Ukraine, and it is only fair that this war is now returning to Russia's territory. The sooner Russia agrees to restore a just peace, the sooner Ukrainian raids on Russian territory will stop. As long as Putin continues the war, he will receive such responses from Ukraine," he emphasized.
On possible Russian provocations
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that there is evidence that Moscow is very concerned that Ukraine's operation is taking place without violations of humanitarian law, which is what Moscow would like to see.
"Therefore, there are reasonable suspicions that such incidents can be created and fabricated by Russia. In particular, by disguising the Russian military in Ukrainian uniforms. That is why we urge our partners to remain vigilant and not to fall for Russian propaganda," he said.
On partners' reaction to Kursk
Tykhyi added that Ukraine is currently seeing the public reaction of its partners to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operation in the Kursk region of Russia.
"We see a neutral and restrained reaction from our partners, which reflects their understanding of Ukraine's actions," he added.
Background
The fighting in the border region of Kursk has been going on since August 6, 2024. Yesterday, Ukraine officially confirmed its participation in the operation. In particular, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that Ukrainian troops already control approximately 1,000 square kilometers. At the same time, the Ukrainian authorities did not specify which settlements are under the control of the Armed Forces.
Russian local authorities report that they currently do not control 28 settlements in the region. However, DeepState analysts say the number is almost twice as high, probably around 44 settlements.
According to the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Kursk Offensive is a key moment in the war that can change its course. Analysts believe that the Ukrainian Armed Forces can take advantage of the fact that Russian troops have been attacking almost the entire front line for months, instead of building large fortifications in the rear.
