Ukraine still holds ground inside Russia’s Kursk, commander says

Ukraine’s best military commander says his forces still defend a small territory of territory in Russia that he captured almost a year ago.

In August 2024, Ukraine launched a surprise incursion in the Kursk region, capturing more than 1,000 km2 (386 miles m²) of Russian land.

Commander -in -chief of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky said that 10,000 Russian soldiers were trying to bring his strength.

While Russia has repeatedly insisted that it had taken over the whole region, Syrsky said on Sunday that Ukraine still holds around 90 km2 (56 miles m²) in the Kursk region.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Syrsky has promised to increase “the scale and depth” of strikes on Russia.

“Of course, we will continue,” he said.

“Since we are not fighting against the population, we are fighting and destroying purely military targets.”

Ukraine seized dozens of villages from the Kursk region shortly after the start of its foray on August 6, 2024.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Operation Kursk had created a buffer area that prevented Russian forces from being deployed in key areas of the front in eastern Ukraine.

However, Kyiv’s advances stalled after Russia has precipitated reinforcements in the region – including thousands of troops from its ally in North Korea.

In recent months Ukrainian forces are retired in Kursk after facing 70,000 Russian troops And heavy drone attacks as part of Moscow’s conduct to find the territory.

Last fall, North Korea sent around 11,000 soldiers to Kursk to fight the Ukrainian cross -border foray.

Western officials told the BBC in January that at least 1,000 North Korean troops in Russia had been killed in just three months.

Earlier this month, the Pyongyang government has promised to send thousands of troops and manufacturers in the drafting of mines in the Kursk Russia region to restore damaged infrastructure.