Zelenskyy: Ukrainian Forces Control 74 Russian Settlements in Kursk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announces that Ukrainian forces have gained control over 74 Russian settlements in the Kursk region, reflecting a significant shift in the conflict dynamics.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports that 74 Russian settlements in the Kursk region are now under Ukrainian control following a cross-border operation, with the Ukrainian forces assuming command.

In his address on Tuesday evening, Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian forces are advancing into the Kursk region and taking Russian soldiers captive.

Seventy-four settlements are under the control of Ukraine, as stated by Zelenskyy.

Despite Russia’s attack on Ukraine over two years ago, the Ukrainian leader displayed his country’s ability to take control of situations through an audacious mission.

On Monday, Governor Alexei Smirnov of the Kursk region declared that 28 settlements owned by Russia are being governed by Ukraine.

Ukraine began its invasion of the Kursk border province last week. The leading military commander of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskii, declared that Ukrainian troops now control 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of Russian territory.

Syrskii announced in a video on Monday that despite ongoing fighting along the entire front line, troops are effectively executing their duties and ensuring control over the situation.

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Russia announced on Tuesday that Ukrainian troops’ one-week-long incursion into Kursk region had been thwarted by their forces.

Fresh reserves, aircrafts, drone teams and artillery forces deployed by Russia succeeded in preventing mobile units of the Ukrainian army from advancing into Kursk settlements like Obshchy Kolodez, Snagost , Kauchuk and Alexeyevsky as stated by a release from the Russian defense ministry.

Ukrainian forces have been fighting for over two years, causing their fatigue to increase and prompting increased scrutiny of the legitimacy of support from Western allies. The recent raid is perceived as a ploy to demand greater accountability from Russia owing to its steadfast involvement in the conflict.

During a televised broadcast on Tuesday, Mykhailo Podolyak, who advises Zelenskyy, announced that the aim of this initiative is to compel Russia into participating in peace talks.

He holds the view that initiating direct communications with Russia is futile, and stresses on resorting to a blend of robust strategies for achieving outcomes.

As a result of the raid, Russia faced an embarrassing failure that led to the displacement of more than 100,000 individuals while their military prepared for retaliation against Ukraine.

Russia has blamed its longtime ally, the United States, for providing long-range weapons and facilitating Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. As a result of this incursion, tensions between the two nations continue to escalate with pledges of reprisals being made in response.

The US has declared that it’s providing Ukraine with weapons to defend against any aggression from Russia, but remains distinct from the breach of borders.

On Tuesday, Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State told journalists that the United States had no part in arranging Ukraine’s raid.