Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has officially confirmed that Ukrainian troops are actively fighting inside Russian territory, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The acknowledgment follows a surprise cross-border incursion by Ukrainian forces into Russia’s Kursk region, an operation that has caught both Russia and Ukraine’s allies off guard.
In his Saturday night address, Zelensky praised the Ukrainian armed forces for pushing the conflict into the aggressor’s territory, emphasizing that Ukraine is capable of applying the necessary pressure to restore justice. This is the first time Zelensky has openly admitted to the incursion, despite mounting evidence, including videos and reports of Ukrainian soldiers operating within Russia.
The incursion into Kursk has presented a considerable challenge for the Kremlin. Russian authorities have responded by imposing a counterterrorist operation in Kursk and two other border regions, with over 76,000 people evacuated from the affected areas as of Saturday. Despite this, Ukrainian forces have managed to hold their positions and even make slight advances, according to the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
This development is significant, as it marks the first time that regular Ukrainian military units have entered Russian territory. While Ukraine has previously targeted border regions like Belgorod with airstrikes and sabotage, the operation in Kursk represents a new phase in the conflict.
The Russian government has attempted to downplay the incursion, possibly to avoid domestic panic or backlash over its inability to protect its borders. The counterterrorist operation gives Russian authorities broader powers, including the ability to monitor communications and restrict movement, but falls short of a state of war or martial law declaration.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued its offensive in Ukraine, launching drone and missile strikes against the Kyiv region on Sunday. The attacks resulted in civilian casualties, including the deaths of a father and his four-year-old son in Brovary, near the capital. These strikes follow a deadly missile attack on a supermarket in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, which killed 11 people and injured 37.
The conflict has led to a devastating summer for Ukrainian civilians, with July marking the deadliest month for civilian casualties since October 2022, according to UN monitors.