By KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first visit Thursday to the border area where Ukrainian forces launched a surprise offensive into Russian territory, announcing the capture of another Russian village and additional prisoners of war.
During his visit to the northern Sumy region, Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian forces had taken control of a settlement in Russia’s Kursk region, though he did not name the village. “Another settlement in the Kursk region is now under Ukrainian control, and we have replenished the exchange fund,” Zelenskyy wrote on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Ukrainian leader, who did not cross into Russian territory, emphasized that the operation launched on August 6 has reduced Russian shelling and civilian casualties in the Sumy region. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine has no plans for long-term occupation of Russian territory, instead aiming to create a buffer zone to prevent further attacks on Ukraine.
The offensive marks the first capture of Russian territory since World War II, a significant development that has rattled the Kremlin and exposed Russia’s vulnerabilities. However, it comes as Ukraine continues to lose ground in its eastern regions.
In response to the Ukrainian incursion, Russian authorities have begun fortifying border areas. In Kursk city, officials are erecting concrete shelters at bus stops and other locations. Similar measures are planned for Zheleznogorsk and Kurchatov, home to a nuclear power plant. Alexei Smirnov, acting governor of the Kursk region, reported that over 133,000 people have evacuated from affected areas, while more than 19,000 have remained.
The conflict has intensified on multiple fronts. Ukraine launched a significant drone attack on Russia overnight, with the Russian Defense Ministry reporting 28 drones targeting various regions. In the Volgograd region, a military facility in Marinovka reportedly caught fire after a drone strike. Ukrainian security services claimed responsibility for this attack on the Marinovka airfield.
Meanwhile, Russian forces claimed control of the Ukrainian village of Mezhove in the Donetsk region, part of the industrial Donbas area that Moscow seeks to fully capture.
The escalating conflict has led to increased security measures in Russia. President Vladimir Putin has ordered the creation of self-defense units in regions bordering Ukraine. Education Minister Sergey Kravtsov announced that 114 schools in Russia’s border regions will begin the school year with remote teaching.
International concerns have also been raised. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that drone fragments were found on the territory of the Kurchatov nuclear power plant. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi emphasized the serious risk to nuclear safety posed by military activity near such facilities.
As the conflict continues to evolve, both sides are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics. Ukraine’s push into Russian territory, while symbolically significant, occurs as it faces challenges in its eastern regions. The situation remains fluid, with potential for further escalation and international implications.
