Counteroffensive: Selenskyj: Kiev controls large area in Russia

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine has made further gains in its counter-offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. “As of today, our forces control more than 1,250 square kilometers of enemy territory and 92 towns,” Zelensky said during an appearance before Ukrainian diplomats and officials. A tactical goal, reducing the danger to the Ukrainian border region of Sumy, has thus been achieved. In addition, the offensive is the greatest success in terms of capturing Russian soldiers since the start of the war, Zelensky said.

According to him, the Russians will later be exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners of war. According to observers, Russia has captured more Ukrainians than the other way around in the course of the war so far.

Selenskyj: No one would have thought an offensive possible

Zelensky described the offensive as a great success. A few months ago, no one would have thought this possible. Critics had dismissed such speculation as crossing the “reddest of all Russia’s red lines”. That is why the preparations were made in secret. But the current success clearly shows Vladimir “Putin’s inability to protect his territory” from such counterattacks. It has also led to a rethink among Western partners, said Zelensky, who continued to demand that his diplomats actively solicit arms aid.

Zelensky’s information on the territorial gains exceeds most previous estimates by military observers. A few days ago, the independent Internet portal Meduza estimated the territorial gains at 862 square kilometers based on photo and video material in the contested Kursk region. However, most experts themselves admit that their estimates are inaccurate, as there is little image material. The Ukrainian armed forces in particular publish very little so as not to endanger their advance.