Ukraine's Strategic Gains in Kursk

Ukraine's top commander reported controlling 1,000 sq km of Russia's Kursk region amid their largest cross-border attack. President Zelenskiy shared a video of the commander updating on the offensive. The Ukrainian government is planning humanitarian relief and seeking Western permission for long-range weapon strikes in Russia.

Ukraine's top military commander announced on Monday that Kyiv now controls around 1,000 square kilometers of Russia's Kursk region. This declaration marks his first public statement since the launch of Ukraine’s most extensive cross-border attack in nearly two and a half years.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy published a video featuring Oleksandr Syrskyi, head of Ukraine's armed forces, who reported the current status of the incursion. “We continue our offensive in the Kursk region, controlling about 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory,” Syrskyi stated.

Meanwhile, President Zelenskiy noted that top officials have instructed the creation of a humanitarian plan for the area. Russia’s acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, confirmed Ukraine's control over 28 settlements, with the incursion extending 12 km deep and 40 km wide. In a push for further support, the Ukrainian defense ministry and diplomats have been directed to seek Western permission for long-range weapon strikes on Russia.