Ukrainian defenders are advancing their operations in the Kursk region, controlling approximately 1,000 square kilometers, stated Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, during a meeting with the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.
"We are continuing our offensive operations in the Kursk region. Currently, we control around 1,000 square kilometers of russian territory," Syrskyi said.
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According to him, the Ukrainian defense forces are continuing their assigned tasks. Battles are ongoing nearly along the entire front. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are maintaining control over the situation on the battlefield.
The evening address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentions this. Thus, this can be considered the first official comment from Ukraine regarding the events in the Kursk region.
The Ukrainian President asked the General to thank the Ukrainian defenders for their resilience and courage.
Interestingly, this message from the Head of State and Supreme Commander also includes the following passage: "Among other things, we instructed the Minister of Internal Affairs, other officials, and the SSU to prepare a humanitarian plan for the area where the operation is taking place."
In other words, this statement answers the question that various Western media outlets have been asking recently about what actions Ukraine might plan regarding the part of the Kursk region that has already been traversed by Ukrainian Defense Forces units.
At the same time, this demonstrates that Ukrainian forces control these areas sufficiently deeply to raise questions about the need for implementing various humanitarian measures amid ongoing large-scale combat operations.
To outline the area currently under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region, we can refer to this graphic from the Oko Hora community. According to their materials, approximately 30% of the territory of the city of Sudzha might currently be within the "gray zone."
We can also add that during his briefing on Monday, August 12, 2024, German Ministry of Defense spokesperson Arno Kollatz outlined the following point: "The weapons provided by Germany to Ukraine become the property of Ukraine from the moment of transfer and can be used by Ukraine as it deems necessary and appropriate."
This means that the German government officially does not object to its equipment being used, including in battles against russian forces in the Kursk region of russia.
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