Volodymyr Zelenskiy has declared that Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region demonstrates that the Kremlin’s threats of retaliation are mere bluffs. He urged Kyiv’s allies to relax restrictions on using their weapons against targets within Russian territory. Zelenskiy reported that Ukrainian forces have seized control of over 1,250 square kilometers (483 square miles) and 92 settlements in Kursk.
Addressing Ukrainian diplomats, Zelenskiy stated that the “naive, illusory concept of so-called red lines” had “crumbled apart.” However, he noted that allied-imposed restrictions still exist and called on Ukraine’s partners to show more boldness in their support. “The world sees that everything in this war depends only on courage – our courage, the courage of our partners, brave decisions for Ukraine, and courage in supporting Ukraine.”
Ukraine has destroyed a third bridge over the Seym River in Kursk, likely as part of an effort to expand what Zelenskiy described as a military “buffer zone” inside Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces remain on the defensive within Ukraine, fiercely battling around the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk, where Russian forces have steadily advanced in recent weeks. According to Serhiy Dobriak, head of the local military administration, Russian troops were reportedly within 10 kilometers (six miles) of the city’s outskirts as of Monday.
Civilians, many with young children and heavy suitcases, fled Pokrovsk on Monday under evacuation orders. Local authorities warned that Russian forces were advancing so rapidly that families were urged to leave the city and surrounding areas starting on Tuesday. Approximately 53,000 people still resided in Pokrovsk, and some began to evacuate immediately.
Also Read: Ukrainian Forces Demolish Strategic Russian Bridge
Ukraine’s top general stated that Kyiv is “doing everything necessary” to defend the eastern city of Toretsk as Moscow seeks to threaten Ukrainian supply lines. Russia claimed to have captured the nearby town of Zalizne.
Dmytro Lykhovii, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Tavria group of forces, reported that Russian ground assaults on the southern Ukrainian front had decreased compared to last week. He did not specify if this was related to Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region, according to the official Ukrinform news agency. In the Zaporizhia region around Orekhovo and Gulyai-Polye, there were no reported clashes for a third consecutive day. Only minor Russian attacks were noted on Ukrainian-held positions on the western side of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region, though Russian aircraft continued to strike with glide bombs.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer remains “absolutely resolute” in supporting Ukraine, his spokesperson said on Monday, following Zelenskiy’s suggestion that UK support had “slowed down recently.”
In Russia, an oil facility in Proletarsk in the southern Rostov region has been burning for two days following a Ukrainian drone strike. Russian social media reported a massive fire and multiple explosions, with 11 storage tanks reportedly destroyed. Forty-one firefighters required hospital treatment, according to Rostov region governor Vasily Golubev.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov stated that Moscow is not ready to engage in peace talks with Ukraine at this time, citing the Kursk attack. Ukraine has insisted on the full withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory before any negotiations can take place.
