Asger Risom
Kyiv disputes Moscow’s assertion of complete control amid ongoing defensive operations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Sunday that Ukrainian forces continue to fight in Russia’s Kursk region, directly contradicting Russian military claims that the area has been fully secured.
“Our units continue active defensive operations in the Russian regions of Kursk and Belgorod,” Zelensky wrote in a post on X, as reported by Digi24.
Conflicting Reports from the Battlefield
On Saturday, Russian Army Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov informed President Vladimir Putin that Ukrainian forces in Kursk had been defeated, claiming that only isolated Ukrainian soldiers remained.
However, Ukraine’s General Staff dismissed these reports as “propaganda,” insisting that battles are ongoing not only in Kursk but also in neighboring Belgorod.
Independent verification of the situation remains difficult amid the fog of war. Meanwhile, Russian commanders reported to Putin that they had recaptured the settlement of Gornal and are now clearing surrounding forests of Ukrainian forces.
Strategic and Symbolic Significance
Fighting within Russian territory represents a symbolic and strategic challenge for Moscow, especially as the Kremlin seeks to portray control and stability.
For Ukraine, continued resistance highlights its capacity to mount offensive and defensive operations beyond its own borders, complicating Russia’s narrative of victory.
As the war grinds into its fourth year, both sides continue to weaponize information alongside military action, making accurate assessments increasingly complex.