Ukraine’s top commander has reported that Kyiv’s forces now control 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory as they launch their largest cross-border operation in two-and-a-half years of full-scale conflict. Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed that Ukraine is continuing its offensive in the Kursk region, a week after the operation began. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that while Russia brought war to others, it is now facing it at home.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the offensive as a “major provocation” and has ordered Russian forces to expel the intruders from their land. The situation has led to a significant evacuation in the western Russian territory, with 59,000 people advised to leave. The local governor reported that Ukrainian forces have taken control of about 28 villages, resulting in 12 civilian deaths, and described the situation as “difficult.”
The surprise attack, launched last Tuesday, saw Ukrainian troops advance up to 18 miles (30 km) into Russian territory. While this has reportedly boosted Ukrainian morale, analysts warn that it could provoke Moscow to intensify its attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas and infrastructure. A senior British military source expressed concern that Moscow might retaliate more aggressively.
In a televised address, Putin claimed that the Ukrainian incursion aims to create discord and weaken Russian unity. He stressed that the primary objective for the Russian defense ministry is to drive Ukrainian forces out of the occupied territories. The governor of the region has reported that 121,000 people have been evacuated, with about 2,000 Russian citizens still in the affected areas, their fate unknown. He advised people to seek shelter in rooms with no windows and solid walls.
In Belgorod, the neighboring region, about 11,000 people were also advised to evacuate due to “enemy activity on the border.” The governor there also warned residents to seek shelter in basements.
In his nightly address, President Zelensky acknowledged the ongoing offensive and stated, “Russia must be forced to make peace if Putin wants to fight so badly.” He emphasized Ukraine’s desire for peace and its commitment to achieving it.
Ukrainian officials have reported that thousands of troops are involved in the operation, contradicting initial reports of a smaller incursion. The goal, according to an official, is to cause significant losses and destabilize the situation in Russian territory.
Kurt Volker, a former US Ambassador to NATO, suggested that this incursion might have political repercussions for Putin at home. He argued that the Ukrainian operation is a direct result of Putin’s handling of the war, which could impact Russian elites and the public.
During a meeting with President Zelensky in Kyiv, US Senator Lindsey Graham praised the operation as “brilliant” and “bold,” urging the Biden administration to supply Ukraine with the necessary weapons.
In Russia, some have questioned how Ukraine managed to enter the Kursk region, with pro-Russian war blogger Yuri Podolyaka describing the situation as “alarming.” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova indicated that a strong response from Russia’s armed forces is imminent. Meanwhile, Belarus, a Russian ally, is increasing its troop presence at the border, alleging Ukrainian drone incursions into its airspace.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has inspected a damaged cooling tower at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine following a fire on Sunday. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. President Zelensky has accused Russia of deliberately starting the fire to “blackmail” Ukraine, while the Kremlin-installed regional governor at Zaporizhzhia attributed it to Ukrainian shelling.
