'This is not occupation; we don't need foreign lands or citizens' - Zelenskyy on Kursk operation
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine does not occupy the Kursk region in Russia. This is an opportunity to create a buffer zone at the border, stated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"This is not an occupation. This is a defensive operation. We are creating buffer zones to prevent the occupation of our land. They have already occupied 27% of our territory, and we are doing everything to prevent them from occupying more," Zelenskyy said.
According to him, Ukraine is not annexing any territories or changing its laws.
"We don't need foreign lands or citizens," the President emphasized.
Operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region
Since the beginning of August, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been conducting an operation in the Kursk region. During this time, several thousand Russian soldiers have been captured, and Russia has lost control over 100 settlements.
The goal of this operation is to protect the residents of Ukraine's border regions from Russian shelling and to create a buffer zone.
Earlier, Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region operation not only restore justice but also achieve effective results.
Recently a prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and Russia, during which 115 Ukrainians were returned home. They were exchanged for Russians captured in the Kursk region.
