President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has finally spoken out about Ukraine’s military incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region, referring to it as a strategic move to push the war into the aggressor’s territory. This statement was made during his nightly address on Saturday.
The incursion, now in its sixth day, is the largest attack since Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. It is notable for the involvement of Ukrainian military units on Russian soil, catching Moscow off guard and causing embarrassment to Russian military leaders.
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The Russian Defense Ministry reported clashes between its forces and Ukrainian troops in Tolpino, Zhuravli, and Obshchy Kolodez. Tolpino is located 15 miles from the Ukrainian border.
Meanwhile, the evacuation of civilians in Russia’s border areas with Ukraine is ongoing, with more than 20 temporary accommodation centers set up in the region to assist evacuees.
The exact objectives of the operation remain undisclosed, with Ukrainian military officials maintaining a policy of secrecy. Some speculate that the incursion aims to divert Russian reserves from the conflict in eastern Ukraine, while others believe it could strengthen Kyiv’s negotiating position with Russia.
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However, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Ukraine’s actions, stating that the attacks serve no military purpose and are intended to terrorize the Russian population.
