Zelenskyy makes new statement on Ukrainian forces in Kursk region
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia wants to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding back 64,000 Russian soldiers there, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a briefing on Friday, April 4.
"Russia does not want a ceasefire. We see this and understand what it wants, what are the next steps, where their troops are gathering, where the increase in fire and attacks is happening, and where offensives are taking place along the entire front line," Zelenskyy noted.
According to him, there has been an increase in enemy attacks at the front, with about 200 attacks occurring daily. Despite the recent bad weather affecting Russian actions, their activity is still evident.
Zelenskyy also noted that Russia wants to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region. The Russians need success before their symbolic dates in May.
"They want to push us completely out of the Kursk region, but everyone understands and confirms that we are there. There is no encirclement, we are in the Kursk region. And our presence is not only in the Kursk region," the President said.
In his opinion, the Kursk operation is of significant importance as it has allowed some Russian troops to be diverted from other fronts in Ukraine.
"They want to show victorious steps, but for now, we are there, holding a large number of troops. There are 64,000 Russians in the Kursk direction. This is a very serious group, which could be deployed elsewhere, but our guys are doing great," he said.
Situation in the Kursk region
Last year, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an operation in the Kursk region. During the fighting, Ukrainian troops took control of around a hundred settlements in the region.
The goal of the operation was to prevent a new Russian offensive on Ukraine's eastern and northern regions.
According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russia has already lost 40,000 soldiers during the six months of the Kursk operation. Russia also brought in North Korean soldiers to fight in the Kursk region.
Subsequently, the Russians spread rumors that Ukrainian forces were supposedly encircled, but the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied this information.
Roman Kostenko, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, commented to RBC-Ukraine that the situation in the Kursk region remains difficult. The Russians have brought in reserves and North Korean soldiers for an offensive against the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
