President Zelensky Confirms Ukrainian Troops Operate In Russia's Belgorod Region

Illustration of the Ukrainian military in the middle of war. (Wikimedia Commons/Mil.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday confirmed the first operation in Russia's Belgorod region as they seek to protect Ukrainian cities near the border.

Ukrainian troops remain in parts of Russia's neighboring region, Kursk, eight months after the cross-border offensive, although Russian forces have reclaimed many of the lost territory.

In his evening video address, President Zelensky said Ukraine's top commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, had submitted a report "on the front lines, our presence in the Kursk region and our presence in the Belgorod region."

"We are continuing active operations in enemy border areas and this is fully justified. The war must return to its place of origin," President Zelensky said.

"Our main goal remains the same: to protect our land and society in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions of the Russian colonialists," President Zelensky continued.

President Zelensky further referred to operations in the region by Ukraine's 225th Assault Regiment and congratulated the unit for its performance.

President Zelensky repeated Kyiv's long-standing statement, although Russia has reclaimed Kursk's territory in recent weeks, the operation was successful as it pulled Russian troops away from the main frontline of the war in Ukraine's Donetsk region.

"Thanks to the entire Kursk operation, we have succeeded in reducing pressure on other frontline sectors, especially in the Donetsk region," said President Zelensky.

Last month he indirectly referred to "certain measures" taken by the Ukrainian military in Russia "slightly below Kursk's territory", which implicitly showed presence in the Belgorod region.

Separately, Russian military bloggers have reported fighting in the Belgorod region between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

Earlier, Russia on Sunday said its troops had seized Basivka Village in the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine, across the Kursk, attacking Ukrainian troops in various settlements.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called for Russian troops to form a buffer zone along the border.

However, a Ukrainian military spokesman on Monday issued a rebuttal that Basivka was in Russia's hands.