Although the Russian Defense Ministry reports troop movements to the Kursk region, Ukrainian units are nevertheless expanding their control there, according to information from Kiev.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian armed forces have taken control of further areas during their invasion of the Russian region of Kursk. The areas at stake are on the border with Ukraine, Zelensky said in his evening video address. The Ukrainian head of state did not give any details. But he also said that the stock of Russian prisoners of war had been replenished again for another possible exchange.
“Thank you soldiers! This is what helps us bring our people back home from Russian captivity,” said Zelensky. The last prisoner exchange took place last week. Ukrainian troops invaded Russia on August 6.
According to Zelensky, the Kursk offensive is preventing Russia from increasing the already high pressure on the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk because it has to concentrate on defending its territory. However, the pressure in the Donetsk region has not yet decreased. Western military observers have confirmed that Russian troops are making progress in the Pokrovsk region. Zelensky also admitted that there are problems.
Difficult situation in the Ukrainian region of Pokrovsk
“It is extremely difficult in the Donetsk region, the main Russian efforts and the largest forces are concentrated right there,” said Zelensky. “What is very important now is the resilience of each of our units, our ability to destroy the occupier.”
The people of Pokrovsk have been called upon to flee. The authorities have ordered the evacuation of the city in view of the impending advance of Russian troops. According to the report, 38,000 people are still in the city, including 1,900 children. The head of the Donetsk military administration, Vadym Filashkin, announced that all banks in Pokrovsk would be closed from Monday. Only ATMs would then be functioning.
For Russia, the capture of the city, which is important because of its railway junction, is the next milestone in the war of aggression against Ukraine that has been going on for more than two and a half years. One of Moscow’s main goals is to bring the Donetsk region, which has been largely occupied until now, completely under Russian control. Russian troops have recently repeatedly captured towns in eastern Ukraine.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
