Two months ago, Ukraine launched an offensive into the western Russian region of Kursk. Even if Zelensky did not achieve his main goal, he sees the initiative as positive.
Two months after the start of the Ukrainian offensive across the border into the western Russian region of Kursk, President Volodymyr Zelensky has underlined the importance of the operation. “This is a very important phase of the war, one that has greatly helped and will continue to help our country,” Zelensky said in his evening video address. His troops have thus proven “that they can take the war all the way to Russia.”
Ukrainian troops had conquered larger areas in front of Kursk in a surprise advance across the border. They currently control between 1,000 and 1,300 square kilometers of area there.
Russian counterattacks have so far been largely unsuccessful. However, Kiev did not achieve the original goal of the offensive, namely to force the Russian military to regroup and thus reduce attacks in Donbass. The Russian troops have not yet stopped their attacks there and are conquering further areas.
Nevertheless, Zelensky was optimistic. “With sufficient support from our partners, we will be able to put just the right amount of pressure on Russia to make him (Russian President Vladimir Putin) feel that the war will bring him nothing.” Ukraine will put even more pressure on Russia, “because only through force can we bring peace closer.”
Report: Caught after murdering prisoners of war
Ukrainian troops have captured a Russian soldier in the east who is said to have been involved in the shooting of Ukrainian prisoners of war. As Ukrainian media reported, three Ukrainian soldiers surrendered in fighting on the edge of Donbass at the beginning of September. However, they were immediately shot by Russian soldiers – this act was filmed by a drone. The perpetrators are clearly visible on the video.
One of these Russian soldiers was captured by the Ukrainians. During his interrogation, he reported on repeated executions of Ukrainian soldiers by his compatriots. However, Russian soldiers would also be executed by their own troops if they refused to take part in mass attacks against Ukrainian positions.
The Russian soldier has now been handed over to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office. Citing the investigative authority, Ukrainska Pravda reported that the public prosecutor’s office was now aware of 93 cases of shootings of Ukrainian prisoners of war. The Prosecutor General’s Office in Kiev reported on Wednesday that the Russian military had killed 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Donetsk region.
Dutch Defense Minister in Kharkiv
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced on Platform X that his country had delivered the first of 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. “This is urgently needed. During my visit to Kharkiv, I saw the damage caused by the Russian air raids, and the air raid sirens went off frequently, he wrote. The remaining fighter jets would follow in the coming months. Brekelmans made a surprise visit to the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Sunday , which is just 40 kilometers from the Russian border but within range of Russian artillery and air strikes.
“Destroyed apartments. Power shortages. Children going to school in bunkers,” wrote Brekelmanns. “Ukraine can only defend itself against this by keeping Russia at a greater distance.”
The Netherlands is one of the major supporters of Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia. Among other things, Kyiv was promised 24 F-16 fighter jets. The Netherlands recently handed over parts of a Patriot air defense system to the Ukrainian armed forces, which, according to media reports, will soon be followed by three launch pads.
Brekelmans later met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. He explained on Facebook that the F-16s in the skies of Ukraine were “proof of the unwavering support” of the people and government of the Netherlands. The two ministers therefore agreed on further cooperation between the “aircraft coalition”.
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.
