Ukraine establishes its first military commandant's office in Kursk region. Armed forces have taken 82 settlements in Russia – Syrskyi

15 august 2024, 16:20

Syrskyi: Since the start of the operation in Kursk Region, Ukrainian forces have advanced 35 km into Russian territory.
Photo: СИРСЬКИЙ / Telegram

On August 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with the military command, which he reported on via Telegram.

During the meeting, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, provided operational updates on advancing Ukrainian defence forces in Russia's Kursk Region. According to him, the search and elimination of occupiers in Sudzha and three other settlements have been completed. Since the start of the current day, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have advanced 0.5 to 1.5 km.

Syrskyi informed that a military commandant's office, led by Major General Eduard Moskaliov, has been established to maintain order and address the immediate needs of the population.

In total, since the beginning of the operation, Ukrainian forces have advanced 35 km into Russian territory, taking control of 82 settlements across an area of 1,150 km², Syrskyi summarized.

President Zelensky announced the creation of Ukrainian military commandant's offices on Russian territory on August 14.

Context

On August 6, Russia claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces attempted to attack the Russian border in the Kursk Region, leading to ongoing fighting in the area. Media reports indicated Russia had transferred troops and equipment from the Belgorod Region and Ukraine's Donetsk Region to Kursk.

Since August 9, a counter-terrorism operation regime has been introduced in three Russian regions bordering Ukraine – Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod.

The illegitimate Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that the Russian Ministry of Defense "expel the enemy" from the Kursk Region. He was informed on August 12 that "28 settlements are under enemy control," with a penetration depth of 12 km into the Kursk Region and a front width of 40 km.

On August 12, President Zelensky announced that Ukrainian defence forces were conducting operations in the Kursk Region. According to Syrskyi, at that time, Ukraine already controlled approximately 1,000 km² of Russian territory.

Russia Kursk Region Oleksandr Syrskyi Volodymyr Zelensky war