Ukrainian army present in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, Zelensky confirms

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are present in Belgorod Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an evening address on April 7.

Ukraine first launched a surprise offensive into Russia's Kursk Oblast in August 2024. Ukrainian officials have said the move forced Russia to move resources away from its offensives in Eastern Ukraine, and captured land could be used as a bargaining chip.

"(T)hanks to the entire Kursk operation – we have managed to ease the pressure on other parts of the front, particularly in the Donetsk (Oblast). It is absolutely crucial to keep destroying Russian equipment and all logistics used by the occupiers along the front," Zelensky said.

Zelensky said Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed Ukraine's military presence in Belgorod and Kursk Oblasts.

Syrskyi reported on "the front, our presence in Kursk, and our presence in the Belgorod (Oblast). We continue to conduct active operations in border areas on enemy territory, and this is absolutely just — the war must return to where it came from," Zelensky said.

Kyiv confirms presence in Belgorod region, marking second Ukrainian incursion into Russia

Editor’s note: this article was updated on April 8 after President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on April 7 that the Ukrainian military was present in Belgorod Oblast. In late March, Ukrainian troops launched a raid into Russia’s Belgorod Oblast. The small-scale incursion into yet another Russian r…

The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

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