Ukraine’s foothold in Kursk ‘getting stronger,’ aims to create buffer zone there: Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the nation is “getting stronger” in the Kursk region, and the military incursion into the area seeks to create a buffer zone to prevent future attacks by Russia.

“And all this is more than just defense for Ukraine; it is now our primary task in defensive operations overall: to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions,” he said in a Sunday video address. “This includes creating a buffer zone on the aggressor’s territory — our operation in the Kursk region.”

The comments marked the first time the Ukrainian president pointedly stated the mission of the operation, which began on Aug. 6 when Ukrainian troops launched a surprise attack into the western Kursk region in Russia. Troops have continued to push forward for weeks, setting off an emergency in the region bordering Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy province.

In a separate video address Saturday, Zelensky said the operation into the Kursk region is “unfolding exactly as we expected.”

“The bravery of Ukrainians is achieving great things. Now we are reinforcing our positions. The foothold of our presence is getting stronger,” he said, per a translation from his office.

The remarks come after Ukraine destroyed a key bridge late last week and struck a second one nearby Sunday, Ukraine’s air force chief, Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, and Russian regional Gov. Alexei Smirnov confirmed, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Pro-Kremlin military bloggers said the destruction of the first bridge on the Seym River near the town of Glushkovo would disrupt supply deliveries to Russian forces, the AP added.

Zelensky on Sunday touted the advancements.

“Everything that inflicts losses on the Russian army, Russian state, their military-industrial complex, and their economy helps prevent the war from expanding and brings us closer to a just end to this aggression — a just peace for Ukraine,” he added.

Zelensky said last week Ukraine captured the key town of Sudzha in the Kursk region and began setting up a commandant’s office there.

Russia has struggled to keep back the Ukrainian advance, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin holding security meetings and ordering border guards and the military to repel the attacks.

Putin called the incursion a “major provocation,” stoking fears the Kremlin will escalate the war against Ukraine, or with the U.S., the primary supporter of Kyiv.