Zelensky Confirms Ukrainian Military Offensive in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has, for the first time, confirmed that his military is actively conducting an offensive within Russia’s western Kursk region.

In his Saturday evening address, Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s forces are now taking the fight “onto the aggressor’s territory,” marking a significant shift in the conflict dynamics.

The Ukrainian operation, which began five days ago, caught Russia off guard and has led to large-scale evacuations on both sides of the border.

In response, Russia launched air attacks on Kyiv and the Sumy region early Sunday morning.

Ukrainian officials reported the tragic deaths of a 35-year-old man and his four-year-old child in Kyiv, with three others, including a 13-year-old, injured in the attacks.

Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed that air defense systems were in action and urged residents to remain in shelters. Zelensky praised Ukraine’s “warriors” for their efforts and revealed that he had discussed the operation in Russia with Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrsky.

He emphasized that Ukraine is demonstrating its ability to “restore justice” and apply the necessary pressure on the aggressor.

Reports indicate that Ukrainian forces are advancing up to 10km (six miles) into Russian territory, the deepest incursion since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukrainian troops are reportedly threatening to capture a regional town, escalating the situation further.

In Kursk, 13 people were injured in the early hours of Sunday, with two in serious condition, according to the region’s acting governor, Alexei Smirnov.

Over 76,000 people have been evacuated from the border area, with Smirnov ordering an acceleration of evacuation efforts.

In response to Ukraine’s unexpected cross-border operation, Russia’s National Counter-Terrorism Committee implemented a “counter-terrorism operation” regime across the Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions.

This move grants authorities the power to restrict movement, monitor communications, and take other security measures.

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Russia reported that up to 1,000 Ukrainian troops, backed by tanks and armoured vehicles, entered the Kursk region on Tuesday morning.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly seized several villages and are threatening the town of Sudzha. A video released on Friday shows armed Ukrainian soldiers claiming control over Sudzha and a critical Russian gas facility owned by Gazprom.

Russian military bloggers initially claimed that Sudzha remained under Moscow’s control. However, another video, verified by BBC, showed a 15-vehicle Russian convoy damaged, burned, and abandoned in Oktyabrskoe, about 38km from the Ukrainian border.

The footage also depicted Russian soldiers, some injured or possibly dead, among the wreckage.

In response, Moscow dispatched reinforcements, including tanks and rocket launchers, to the Kursk region.

The Russian defence ministry asserted on Saturday that its forces were “continuing to repel the attempted invasion” and claimed that Ukraine’s efforts to “break through deep into Russian territory” had been thwarted. These claims have yet to be independently verified.

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