Ukrainian Forces Assert Control over 380 Square Miles of Russian Territory

August 13, 2024 TruthUSA

Putin, the Russian President, has pledged to drive Kyiv’s forces out of the country.

According to Ukraine’s top military commander, Kyiv’s forces currently have control over approximately 380 square miles of Russia’s Kursk region due to a cross-border invasion. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to push them out.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine released a video featuring top military leader Oleksandr Syrskyi providing a report on the ongoing fighting in Kursk.

“We are continuing with our offensive operation in the Kursk region, currently holding control over about 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory,” stated Syrskyi in the video.

Russia’s acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, reported through state-run media that Ukraine had taken control of 28 settlements with 2,000 civilians. The incursion has reached a depth of about 8 miles and a width of 30 miles, resulting in the evacuation and resettlement of approximately 180,000 people, with 120,000 already having left the region.

In social media posts on Monday, Zelenskyy praised the soldiers and commanders for their strong and decisive actions. He hinted at the provision of humanitarian aid in the conflict area.

During a televised meeting on Monday, Putin reiterated his commitment to driving Ukrainian forces out of the country’s territory. He highlighted increasing losses among Ukrainian troops, including those from the most combat-ready units, as reported by Russian state media.

He accused the Ukrainians of “setting out to exterminate their own countrymen,” warning of a strong response from Russia.

He stated that it seemed Ukraine was attempting to strengthen its position in negotiations, but emphasized that there would be no talks with an enemy that targeted civilians during the operation in the Kursk region.

Putin’s remarks on Monday provided the most detailed account since Ukraine initiated its cross-border attack on August 6.

The Russian Ministry of Defense, as reported through state media and social channels, announced the deployment of additional troops to address the situation in Kursk. Details on troop numbers and types of forces deployed were not disclosed. The ministry highlighted Ukraine’s efforts to impede Russia’s progress on other battlefronts, albeit without halting Moscow’s advance.

“Military communication units have arranged for the delivery of supplementary assets to bolster the group of forces and establish reserves,” the defense ministry stated on Monday, also mentioning the transportation of “heavy tracked vehicles” to counter Ukraine’s forces.

Zelenskyy recently confirmed the presence of Ukrainian military forces in Russia following reports of clashes in Kursk. During a televised address, he expanded the war into Russia, although specifics were not provided.

This incursion represents the most significant event since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in February 2022. In an earlier incident from March of the same year, Ukraine-backed forces breached several areas on the Kursk and Belgorod borders but were ultimately repelled by Russia.

The objective of the ongoing operation has not been publicly disclosed by Ukraine, surprising Russia after months of gradual advancements in eastern Ukraine.

An assessment from the Institute for the Study of War in Washington highlighted the temporary respite provided by the Kursk operation and its impact on countering Russia’s overall advances.

According to the think tank’s latest update published on Sunday evening, “Russia’s control of the initiative at the theater level since November 2023 has dictated the location, timing, scale, and resource demands of the fighting in Ukraine, pushing Ukraine to expend resources in reactive defensive actions.”

The assessment pointed out potential misjudgments by the Russian military regarding Ukraine’s capabilities to challenge Moscow’s battlefield dominance.

The White House has issued limited statements regarding the Ukrainian incursion.

During a briefing on August 10, White House national security spokesman John Kirby stated that they are in communication with Ukrainian counterparts as they seek clarity on the ongoing events and objectives.

He added, “Until our discussions are complete and we have a better understanding, I won’t offer an opinion on the situation on the ground.”

This report includes information from Reuters.

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