Zelenskyy says Ukrainian forces continue to advance in Russia’s Kursk region

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that his country’s forces continue to advance in Russia’s border legion of Kursk, where Kyiv has carried out incursions since last week.

“I am constantly in touch with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, receiving reports on the frontline situation and our operations in the Kursk region. Despite the difficult and intense battles, our forces continue to advance in the Kursk region, and our state’s ‘exchange fund’ is growing,” Zelenskyy said on X.

Claiming that Ukrainian troops have taken control of 74 settlements in Kursk, Zelenskyy said “inspections and stabilization measures” are being carried out in these areas.

“The development of humanitarian solutions for these territories continues,” he added.

Russian authorities have not yet commented on Ukraine's claims, and independent verification of the claims is difficult due to the ongoing war.

On Monday, Kursk Governor Alexey Smirnov said that the situation in the border region is “difficult,” adding that there are currently 28 settlements under Ukraine’s control.

Last week, intensified shelling in Kursk was followed by an incursion of Ukrainian infantry, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, into the border region, particularly near the city of Sudzha, about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

On Monday, Zelenskyy admitted it was an "operation" by Ukraine's troops without specifying its goals.​​​​​​​