Ukraine’s top military commander has announced that Kyiv’s forces now control 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory amid their largest cross-border incursion in two-and-a-half years of full-scale conflict. Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Ukraine’s offensive operation in the Kursk region, which began a week ago, is ongoing.
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Russia, which has spread war to other nations, is now experiencing it on its own soil. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the offensive as a “major provocation” and instructed Russian forces to expel the invaders.
The situation has led to a mass evacuation in the western Russian region, with 59,000 additional people ordered to leave. Acting Kursk governor Alexei Smirnov reported that Ukrainian forces have taken control of 28 villages, resulting in 12 civilian casualties. The overall situation remains tense, with further evacuations of 121,000 people from their homes. Approximately 2,000 Russian citizens are still in areas controlled by Ukrainian forces, with their fate unknown.
Ukrainian troops initiated their surprise attack last Tuesday, advancing up to 30 kilometers into Russian territory. There is skepticism regarding the Ukrainian claim of controlling 1,000 square kilometers, with some experts, including the Institute for the Study of War, questioning the accuracy of this assertion. Smirnov indicated that Ukrainian forces had advanced 12 kilometers into Russian territory with a push width of 40 kilometers.
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The offensive has reportedly boosted Ukrainian morale but also raised concerns about potential escalations. Analysts warn that Moscow may respond by intensifying attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. British military sources have noted that increased Russian aggression could follow.
Putin has accused the enemy of attempting to sow discord and undermine Russian unity. He stressed the need for Russian forces to reclaim the territories. Meanwhile, in Belgorod, neighboring Kursk, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that 11,000 people had evacuated the Krasnoyarsk district, with the entire region on missile alert.
In his nightly address, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to peace while highlighting the aggressive nature of the Russian incursion. Ukrainian officials have reported that thousands of troops are involved in the operation, contradicting initial claims of a small incursion.
US Senator Lindsey Graham praised the cross-border operation as “brilliant” and “bold,” urging the Biden administration to supply Ukraine with necessary weapons. Meanwhile, Russian pro-war bloggers and officials are expressing concerns about the incursion, and Belarus is increasing troop numbers at its border.
The International Atomic Energy Agency inspected a damaged cooling tower at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant following a recent fire, but the cause remains undetermined. Zelensky has accused Russia of deliberately starting the fire as a form of blackmail, while the Kremlin-installed regional governor attributes it to Ukrainian shelling.
