Ukrainian incursion into Russia aimed at creating buffer zone, says Zelensky
The Ukrainian incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk is intended to create a buffer zone between the two warring countries. This was stated by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday evening. It is the first time the president has spoken clearly about the purpose of the operation, which began earlier this month.
"Our main task in the defensive operation is to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and to carry out the largest possible counter-offensive," he said in a video on X. "A buffer zone on the territory of the aggressor is part of this."
"Anything that damages the Russian army, Russia, its military industry and economy will ensure that the war does not spread further and will bring us closer to a just end to this attack."
Ukraine launched an offensive into Russian territory in the Kursk region on 6 August. Last week it claimed to control 1,000 square kilometres of territory in the country, having seized more than 80 sites.
The incursion is still ongoing. The pro-Ukrainian military blog DeepState reported on the Telegram messaging service on Sunday night that Ukraine had captured three more Russian villages. Fighting is said to be moving towards the town of Olhivka, on the western edge of the territory that Ukraine withdrew from on 6 August.
No negotiations yet
Ukraine is also attempting to cross the Russian border to the west of that area. Ukraine has already destroyed two of the three bridges over the Seym river. These bridges are crucial to Russia's defence of the Glushkovo district, an area of about 700 square kilometres. If the third bridge is destroyed, Russia could lose the entire area.
The loss of territory is not prompting the Russian government to open talks with Ukraine. "At this point it would be completely inappropriate to start a negotiation process," Yuri Ushakov, a diplomatic aide to Russian president Vladimir Putin, told Russian media on Monday.
PHOTO © Yan DOBRONOSOV / AFP
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