Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced on Friday (August 16) that Ukrainian troops have advanced 1 to 3 kilometers into certain areas of Kursk Oblast, marking the 11th day since the start of cross-border attacks on Russia.
According to Reuters, Ukraine claims that since launching attacks on Kursk Oblast on August 6, Ukrainian forces have captured 82 settlements in the region, covering an area of 1150 square kilometers (444 square miles). The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this number exceeds the territory Russia has advanced into Ukraine this year.
Syrskyi reported to President Volodymyr Zelensky via video link that battles are taking place in the Malaya Loknya area, approximately 11.5 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. He expressed hope that the fighting in that area would result in the Ukrainian military capturing “many prisoners.”
After hearing Syrskyi’s report, Zelensky took to social media to say: “The actions in Kursk Oblast – we are strengthening our positions and replenishing Ukraine’s ‘exchange fund.'”
Ukrainian officials stated that several hundred Russian soldiers have been captured, with hopes that this will expedite the exchange of Ukrainian soldiers held captive by Russia.
Russia labeled this cross-border attack as a “serious provocation” and vowed to retaliate with a strong response. Over two and a half years ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion against its smaller neighbor.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that Russian forces have repelled Ukrainian advances in several areas.
Zelensky mentioned that the losses suffered by Russia in Kursk Oblast have been “very helpful” to Ukraine’s defense.
In a speech on Friday evening, he said: “This relates to the disruption of the logistics of the Russian army and the depletion of reserves.”
Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk added on the social media platform Telegram that aerial combat is an integral part of this operation, targeting enemy supply lines and logistical centers. He shared a video showing an attack on a Russian bridge.
Acting Governor of Kursk Oblast Alexei Smirnov stated that Ukraine destroyed a highway bridge over the Seym River in the Glushkovsky district of the region.
Nevertheless, the fiercest battles continue in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have been advancing towards the strategic hub of Pokrovsk for several months.
Analysts suggest that one of the objectives of the Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast is to divert the attention of Russian forces in the east. However, there has been no indication so far that the situation in the east has shifted.