Ukraine captures new settlement in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says while visiting border

Ukraine captured another Russian settlement in Kursk Oblast, as well as Russian prisoners of war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 22 while visiting the border areas in Sumy Oblast.

Previously, the Ukrainian military said it controls 1,263 square kilometers (488 square miles) and 93 settlements – including the town of Sudzha – as of Aug. 20.

During his visit, Zelensky received reports from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Sumy Oblast Governor Volodymyr Artiukh on the situation in the region and elsewhere along the front.

"In certain areas of Kursk Oblast under Ukraine's control, one more settlement has been captured, and the (prisoner) exchange fund has been replenished," Zelensky said on Telegram.

The president did not disclose the name of the new settlement.

Morning in Sudzha: Inside Ukrainian-occupied Russia as Kursk operation continues

Editor’s note: The Kyiv Independent traveled into Russia’s Kursk Oblast with Ukrainian soldiers during the ongoing Ukrainian cross-border offensive in the area. Since the trip constitutes an unsanctioned crossing of the state border between Russia and Ukraine, the identities of the author of the rep…

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Ukrainian forces continue to make "marginal advances" as of Aug. 21.

"Geolocated footage published on Aug. 21 shows drone operators of Russia's 155th Naval Infantry Brigade... striking Ukrainian forces in and around Vishnevka (south of the Koreveno town and 14 kilometers from the international border), confirming that Ukrainian forces have likely advanced into and beyond the settlement."

One Russian pro-war channel claimed that Ukraine attempted to advance from Vishnevka toward Komarovka further west but had been repelled. The claim could not be independently verified.

Artiukh also told Zelensky that the number of cross-border artillery strikes and civilian casualties has decreased in Sumy Oblast.

Kyiv said that putting a stop to Russian attacks against civilians across the border was one of the key objectives of the Kursk incursion that just recently entered its third week.