Date: August 19, 2024
Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukraine’s recent military incursion into Russia’s Kursk region is designed to establish a strategic “buffer zone” to prevent further cross-border attacks by Moscow’s forces. This comes as Ukrainian troops successfully blew up a second bridge in the Russian border region, further disrupting Russian logistics.
Nearly two weeks into the surprise offensive, Ukrainian forces are making steady progress in Kursk, despite facing ongoing pressure from Russian forces advancing in eastern Ukraine. The offensive is part of a broader strategy to stretch Russia’s military resources and secure a stronger negotiating position for Kyiv.
In a national address on Sunday, Zelensky outlined the objectives of the Kursk operation, stating, “Our primary task is to destroy as much of Russia’s war potential as possible and to conduct maximum counteroffensive actions. Creating a buffer zone on the aggressor’s territory is crucial to achieving these goals.”
The offensive has already yielded significant gains for Ukraine, with Zelensky claiming control over nearly 1,000 square kilometers (about 621 square miles) of Russian territory. Ukrainian troops have reinforced their positions in Kursk, prompting both Russia and Ukraine to urge residents to evacuate areas experiencing heavy fighting.
The destruction of a second bridge over the Seym River by Ukrainian forces on Sunday, using precision airstrikes, is a critical blow to Russia’s logistical capabilities. The strikes are part of a larger effort to cripple Moscow’s supply routes and weaken its military presence in the region. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykolaiv Oleshchuk highlighted the importance of these actions, stating, “Our aviation continues to deprive the enemy of logistics capabilities, significantly impacting the course of combat operations.”
Meanwhile, Russia has been forced to divert thousands of troops from the front lines in occupied Ukraine to address the territorial loss in Kursk. The situation remains tense, with local authorities warning residents against returning to areas affected by the fighting.
Despite Kyiv’s advances in Kursk, Russian forces are also making progress in eastern Ukraine. Russian troops have moved closer to the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, a key military hub for Ukraine. The proximity of Russian forces has prompted the evacuation of nearly 1,800 civilians from Pokrovsk over the past week.
Intense fighting continues around the villages of Pivnichne and Zalizne in Donetsk, where Russian forces launched a massive assault on Sunday. Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces, supported by an armored group, attempted to break through Ukrainian positions to advance toward Toretsk, another strategic town.
As the conflict escalates, Ukraine’s military leadership is calling on Western allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, to expedite the delivery of much-needed supplies. “There are no vacations in war,” said General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Ukrainian army chief, emphasizing the urgent need for continued support.
President Zelensky remains resolute, stating, “The occupier must be held accountable for their terror. They are already facing the strength of our warriors, and we will continue to push forward until a just end to this aggression is achieved.”