Zelenskiy Confirms Success of Kursk Incursion in Stalling Russian Advance

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region has successfully slowed Moscow's military advances on another front. Despite Russia’s counterattacks, there were no major successes, contradicting President Vladimir Putin's claims. Zelenskiy outlined that the operation aligns with his broader 'victory plan' aimed at achieving reliable peace.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Friday that Ukraine's incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk has successfully thwarted Moscow's progress on another front in eastern Ukraine. Zelenskiy mentioned during a conference in Kyiv that Russia's counteractions in Kursk had not yielded any significant victories, contradicting Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements of success.

Ukraine initiated a surprise incursion in the Kursk region on August 6, taking control of numerous settlements. 'It produced the results we anticipated,' Zelenskiy said. 'In Kharkiv, the enemy was halted, and their advance in Donetsk was slowed down, even though the situation remains challenging.'

Zelenskiy indicated that around 40,000 Russian troops have mobilized in Kursk, starting a counteroffensive. So far, he noted, there have been no notable Russian successes. Despite conflicting reports from Russia's Defence Ministry about reclaiming some villages, Reuters hasn't been able to independently verify these battlefield reports. The conflict remains at a crucial point, with heavy fighting in the eastern Donbas region and continued Russian assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure and cities.

(With inputs from agencies.)