Zelensky confirms use of Ukrainian troops in Russia's Belgorod

Zelensky confirms use of Ukrainian troops in Russia's Belgorod

On Monday, the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian troops are active in the Russian region of Belgorod to protect the Ukrainian cities near the border.

active presence in the border region

Ukrainian armed forces have been active in parts of the neighboring Russian region of Kursk for eight months, although the Russian armed forces have recaptured a large part of the previously lost area. In his nightly video approach, Selenskyj reported that the top Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi presented a report on "The front line, our presence in the Kursk region and our presence in the Belgorod region".

strategic goals in conflict

"We continue to carry out active operations in the border areas of the enemy, and that is absolutely justified. The war has to return where it came," emphasized Selenskyj. He added: "Our main goal remains the same: our country and our communities in the regions of Sumy and Charkiw to protect against the Russian occupiers."

success of the Ukrainian troops

Selenskyj mentioned the operations of the 225th storm regiment of Ukraine and congratulated the unit on its performance. He repeated Kiev's long-cherished view that despite the reconquest of areas in Kursk by Russia, the operation was successful in recent weeks because they distracted Russian forces from the main front line of the war in the Donetsk region.

reduction of pressure on the front line

"Through the entire course surgery, we managed to reduce the pressure on other front sectors, especially in the Donetsk region," he said. Last month, the President had indirectly referred to "certain steps", which the Ukrainian military in Russia undertook "a little below the Kursk region", which implicitly indicates a presence in the Belgorod region.

reports on fights in Belgorod

Russian military bloggers reported fights in the Belgorod region between Russian and Ukrainian troops. On Sunday, Russia explained that his troops had taken the village of Basivka in the northeastern region of Sumy - opposite Kursk - and that Ukrainian forces would take a fire in various settlements.

Putin and the strategic goals

The Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly indicated that Russian armed forces should create a security zone along the border. On Monday, a Ukrainian military spokesman rejected the claim that Basivka was in Russian hands.