Why Ukraine's operation in Kursk region was kept secret: Zelenskyy explains
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine's preparations for the operation in the Kursk region had to be kept secret from its partners, as Russian intelligence is present everywhere, stated President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the 50th Ambrosetti International Forum.
According to him, Ukraine had information from its intelligence and partners in the US, EU, and UK that Russia wanted to try to attack the Sumy region.
As Zelenskyy explained, Russia decided to do this after it failed to occupy Kharkiv.
The President said that after receiving this information, he and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, decided to launch an operation in the Kursk region.
"We decided that we have to do it quicker and nobody has to know. It's not because we don't respect, it's not about it. Because Russia is everywhere with their intelligence. That's why we had to use this information very carefully, very confidentially," Zelenskyy explained.
Zelenskyy emphasized that as a result, Ukraine was successful in the Kursk operation, which is why it managed to defend the Sumy region.
Ukrainian Armed Forces operations in the Kursk region
Since the beginning of August, an offensive operation by Ukrainian troops has been underway in the Kursk region.
Since the beginning of the operation, Ukraine has taken control of more than 100 settlements in the Kursk region.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces also managed to partially create a buffer zone and draw enemy forces away from other areas.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that all the tasks of the Kursk operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are being implemented. The largest replenishment of the exchange fund is currently taking place there.
According to Zelenskyy, during the first month of the operation of the Armed Forces in the Kursk region, Russia lost about 6,000 soldiers killed and wounded.
In turn, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, named five goals of the operation in the Kursk region.
In particular, he said, Ukraine wanted to prevent a new Russian offensive with the help of the Kursk operation. Also, such actions of the Armed Forces helped to protect the population of Sumy region.
