Zelensky Confirms Ukrainian Operations in Belgorod, Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian troops are operating in Russia's Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine to the east. While military actions across the Russian border are not new, this marks the first official acknowledgment of Ukrainian forces in Belgorod, following previous confirmations only for the Kursk region to the north.
In an evening address to the nation, Zelensky revealed that the head of the Ukrainian army had updated him regarding the ongoing presence of Ukrainian soldiers in both the Kursk and Belgorod regions. These forces are reported to be actively conducting operations on Russian territory, although specific details regarding troop numbers, operational types, and territorial control in Belgorod were not provided.
According to a map released by the Ukrainian military blog DeepState, believed to be aligned with the army, Ukrainian troops have managed to secure control of approximately 13 square kilometers in the northwestern part of Belgorod. This incursion appears to be a strategic maneuver aimed at undermining support for the Russian government among its citizens as well as diverting Russian military resources from the frontlines where they are engaged in a slow but constant advance.
Ukraine's attacks in the Kursk region began last August, marking a significant escalation in cross-border operations since the onset of the war. On that occasion, Ukrainian forces successfully occupied around a thousand square kilometers in the area, though recent months have seen a concerted Russian counteroffensive that has significantly reduced Ukrainian territorial control, leaving them with only a small area near the border.
The Belgorod region, home to roughly 1.5 million inhabitants, has faced repeated drone bombardments by Ukraine. Notably, in August 2024, local government authorities declared a state of emergency due to the impacts of these airstrikes, highlighting the ongoing tensions and escalating conflict between the two nations.
Zelensky's acknowledgment of Ukrainian military operations in Belgorod underscores a new phase in the conflict, as Ukraine increasingly seeks to engage Russian forces on their own territory, potentially reshaping the battlefield dynamics and regional security landscape.
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