Russia did not request CSTO assistance amid Ukrainian advances in Kursk region

"According to the procedure adopted by the CSTO, a member state in need of military assistance must officially request support from the Organization. At this time, no such request has been made by the Russian Federation regarding the situation in the Kursk region," the CSTO Secretariat stated.

The CSTO Secretariat and relevant Russian government agencies are exchanging information on a working level. However, there have been no official negotiations or meetings to discuss the situation in Russia's border regions.

The CSTO noted that decisions on the use of collective forces are made by consensus, "but this does not mean that any of the allies cannot engage in bilateral relations."

The CSTO described the Ukrainian military advance in the Kursk region as "a new stage in the escalation of the military conflict in the CSTO's area of responsibility."

"Our analytical service is working around the clock. We are closely monitoring the situation and will act strictly in accordance with the Organization's Charter," the CSTO Secretariat said.

Ukrainian advance in the Kursk region

It has been over a week since fighting began in the Kursk region of Russia. Ukrainian forces have entered the region and have managed to push Russian troops out of several settlements.

The operation aims to protect residents of Ukraine's border regions from Russian shelling.

Yesterday, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that Ukrainian troops had taken control of an area of 40 square kilometers and now control 74 settlements in the Kursk region.

Today, it was reported that Ukrainian forces have completely cleared the town of Sudzha of Russian troops.