As of August 27, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have taken control of 100 settlements in Russia's Kursk region, according to Oleksandr Syrsky, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Speaking at the "Ukraine 2024. Independence" Forum, Syrsky stated that Ukrainian forces have secured 1,294 square kilometers of Russian territory during their ongoing offensive.
In addition to the territorial gains, Syrsky revealed that Ukrainian forces have captured 594 Russian soldiers since the offensive began.
He did not clarify whether this number includes soldiers who had been part of previous prisoner exchanges, as reported by RBK Ukraine.
To counter the Ukrainian advance, the Russian military command has reportedly deployed around 30,000 servicemen to the Kursk region.
Syrsky explained that these reinforcements are an attempt to halt the Ukrainian offensive and create a defensive ring around the advancing Ukrainian troops. However, the Ukrainian forces are continuing their active operations, disrupting Russian plans.
The Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region began on August 6, with the stated goal of creating a "buffer zone" to protect Ukraine's border regions, particularly Sumy, from potential Russian attacks.
Syrsky emphasized that the Ukrainian army's actions are not only aimed at capturing territory but also at preventing the enemy from regrouping and launching counterattacks.
"The enemy is trying to resist us, pulling troops from other directions and weakening their overall defenses," Syrsky said. "Our active actions are preventing them from encircling our advancing group and carrying out their counter-offensive plans."
