Zelenskyy: Kursk region operation continues, exchange fund replenished
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Today, on August 17, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on the progress of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region. The operation is proceeding exactly as expected, states Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“The bravery of Ukrainians does great things. Now we are strengthening our positions. The bridgehead of our presence is getting stronger. I want to thank every soldier who ensures this,” Zelenskyy said.
In addition, the president expressed gratitude to each unit that replenishes Ukraine's exchange fund with new Russian prisoners of war. He noted that this brings the release of Ukrainian military and civilians from Russian captivity closer.
Zelenskyy added that this week the negotiation team and the entire infrastructure of the exchanges were rebooted.
"The Security Service of Ukraine, the Interior Ministry, the Armed Forces, and the Foreign Intelligence Service have joined on an equal footing with the DIU. The presence of the Ombudsman's infrastructure in the regions of Ukraine will also be strengthened to ensure transparent and high-quality work with the relatives of prisoners and public activists who are ready to help,” the Head of State said.
The President summarized that this is an undoubted priority of Ukraine and one of the ten points of the Peace Formula.
The operation of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region of Russia began on August 6. According to the chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, as of August 15, 82 Russian settlements were already under the control of Ukraine.
Yesterday, on August 16, Syrskyi said that Ukrainian forces had advanced another 1 to 3 kilometers in the Kursk region.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that according to The Washington Post, the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to capture at least 250 Russian conscripts during the operation in the Kursk region.
