Zelenskiy Hails Ukraine's Strategic Gains in Kursk Operation

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region successfully slowed down Moscow's advances on the eastern front. He highlighted the importance of this operation for Ukraine's 'victory plan' and emphasized ongoing Western support, especially from the U.S., to counter Russia's aggression.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asserted on Friday that Ukraine's incursion into Russia's border region of Kursk has effectively impeded Moscow's advances on another eastern front.

Speaking at a conference in Kyiv, Zelenskiy downplayed Russian successes in the Kursk region, which contrasts with President Vladimir Putin's claims of progress. Ukraine's surprise push into the region on August 6 resulted in the control of dozens of settlements, with Ukrainian forces halting the enemy's progress in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.

Russia's defense ministry countered on Friday, stating their troops reclaimed 10 out of 100 villages Kyiv had claimed.

The two-and-a-half-year conflict is at a critical stage, with Moscow intensifying attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and Ukrainian forces stretched thin in Donetsk. Ukrainian General Staff reported repelling 64 Russian assaults near Kurakhove and 36 near Pokrovsk.

Zelenskiy outlined the Kursk operation as part of his 'victory plan' to be presented to U.S. President Joe Biden, emphasizing the need for Western support. Zelenskiy urged allies, especially the U.S., to permit long-range attacks into Russia to deter further aggression.

(With inputs from agencies.)