Zelenskyy: No encirclement of Ukrainian troops in Kursk, situation stabilized
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: RBC-Ukraine, Vitalii Nosach)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that there is no encirclement of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. The situation in the Pokrovsk sector has been stabilized.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, briefed Zelenskyy on the situation at the front. The head of state declared that the situation in the Pokrovsk direction has been stabilized.
"Our forces’ operation in designated areas of the Kursk region continues. Units are carrying out tasks exactly as needed. Thanks to Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, a significant number of Russian forces have been diverted from other directions," the president noted.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian troops continue to hold back Russian and North Korean forces in the Kursk region, and there is no encirclement of Ukrainian troops.
He also mentioned the buildup of Russian forces along Ukraine's eastern border.
"This indicates an intention to strike our Sumy region. We understand this and will counteract it. I hope all our partners understand what Putin is planning, what he is preparing for, and what exactly he will ignore," Zelenskyy emphasized.
The president believes that the buildup of Russian forces shows that Moscow intends to ignore diplomacy and continue the war.
"Russia’s prolonging of the war is obvious. We are ready to provide our partners with all the real information about the situation on the front, in the Kursk region, and along the border," he added.
Situation in the Kursk region
The Defense Forces of Ukraine launched the Kursk operation in early August 2024. According to the military leadership, this was a preventive measure to prevent a Russian offensive in the Sumy region.
The Russians are attempting to push Ukrainian forces out of their positions in the Kursk region. Since early March, the situation has worsened. Sources from RBC-Ukraine reported that Russian forces are trying to cut off the Sudzha-Sumy road and create operational encirclement.
It is known that Russian forces have advanced to the city of Sudzha. The Russian Ministry of Defense has already claimed control over the city.
The Russians also claimed that Ukrainian troops were surrounded in the Kursk region. On March 14, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine denied this information.
What's happening in the Kursk region and why Ukraine is losing ground - read RBC-Ukraine's article.
