Ukraine has announced that it does not intend to hold onto the Russian territory it captured during its recent incursion and has offered to cease raids if Moscow agrees to a “just peace.”
Last Tuesday, Ukrainian forces made a bold move by entering Russia’s Kursk region, seizing control of more than 24 settlements in what has been described as the largest foreign army attack on Russian soil since World War II.
Over 120,000 individuals have fled the area, and Ukraine’s military leader, Oleksandr Syrsky, stated on Monday that Ukrainian troops currently control approximately 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory.
An analysis conducted by AFP based on data from the Institute for the Study of War suggests that at least 800 square kilometers are under Ukrainian control.
Georgiy Tykhy, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry, emphasized on Tuesday that Kyiv has no interest in annexing Russian land and defended Ukraine’s actions as completely legitimate. He stated, “The sooner Russia agrees to restore a just peace, the sooner the Ukrainian defense forces’ raids into Russia will cease.”
Ukraine has also implemented movement restrictions in the Sumy region near the border due to escalated hostilities and sabotage activities.
On the other hand, Russia’s defense ministry reported thwarting new Ukrainian attacks in Kursk by intercepting enemy armored vehicle groups attempting to breach deep into Russian territory.
Since the beginning of its invasion in February 2022, Russia has gained control of territories in southern and eastern Ukraine and subjected Ukrainian cities to missile and drone attacks.
Blindfolded POWs
Ukraine, facing overwhelming odds, has encountered challenges after initial successes in pushing back Russian forces in 2022.
The recent offensive into the Kursk region, catching Russia off guard, marks the most significant cross-border action since the invasion began.
Reporters from AFP observed remnants of intense fighting at a border crossing into the Kursk region, including destroyed fortifications and buildings previously used for security and customs purposes.
On the road, AFP witnessed around 10 blindfolded and restrained individuals dressed in Russian military attire being transported away from the border crossing towards the city of Sumy.
A Ukrainian serviceman, identified as Ruzhyk, who participated in the offensive, stated, “They didn’t secure the border. They only had anti-personnel mines scattered around trees and hastily thrown mines along the highways.”
Another soldier mentioned that their military engineering unit was tasked with clearing the mines before Ukrainian tanks could advance. “When our team arrived, the Russians fled, unable to trigger the explosives,” he added.
A squad leader, known as Faraon, aged 27, shared his experiences of the battles in Kursk, acknowledging the grim reality of death during the intense conflict.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia has vowed to remove Ukrainian troops, expressing concerns about the enemy’s intention to sow discord and undermine Russian unity.
Putin mentioned that Ukraine’s motivation includes enhancing its negotiating position for future talks with Moscow.
Regional governor Alexei Smirnov confirmed that Ukrainian forces had penetrated at least 12 kilometers into the region, expanding the front to a width of 40 kilometers.
Russia had previously acknowledged Ukrainian forces advancing up to 30 kilometers into Russian territory at certain points.
An anonymous Ukrainian security official revealed that the operation aimed to weaken Russian positions, inflict significant losses, and destabilize the situation in Russia due to their inability to defend their borders.
The official disclosed that thousands of Ukrainian troops were involved in the operation.
