Zelenskyy confirms presence of Ukrainian Armed Forces in Russia's Kursk region for first time
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially confirmed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting an operation in the Kursk region of Russia, he made this statement on his Telegram channel.
According to the president, today, August 12, a Meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief was held. During the meeting, a report by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi was heard regarding the operation conducted by Ukrainian special operation forces in the Kursk region of Russia.
"Grateful to all soldiers and commanders for their resilience and decisive actions. Among other things, we instructed the Minister of Internal Affairs, other government officials, and the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) to prepare a humanitarian plan for the area where the operation is taking place," Zelenskyy said after the report.
The economic block report was also heard. First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported on the increase in the share of Ukrainian production in state procurement, as well as on the Cabinet’s preparation of long-term contracts for Ukrainian enterprises.
During the meeting, Zelenskyy tasked several agencies—the Coordination Staff, the Defense Intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs—with preparing a strategy for returning Ukrainians held in Russian captivity. He also instructed the Ministry of Defense and diplomats to present a list of necessary actions to obtain permission from our partners to use long-range weapons for the defense of our territory.
Fighting in the Kursk region
Last week, Russia reported that Ukrainian forces had allegedly breached the border into the Kursk region. The fighting has been ongoing for almost a week, and Ukrainian forces are reportedly controlling 28 settlements.
Up to this point, the Ukrainian military command had not commented on the events in the Kursk region. Earlier, Zelenskyy had only stated that Ukrainian troops were "pushing the war" into the territory of the aggressor.
For more details on what is happening in the border areas of Russia, read our material How 'Kursk breakthrough' could boost Ukraine power for negotiations.
