- Zelensky says Russia has stationed 50,000 troops in Kursk
- “Our men are holding back… 50,000 of the occupier’s army personnel”
- It’s impacting Moscow’s ability to launch attacks inside Ukraine
Zelensky says Russia has stationed 50,000 troops in Kursk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine’s ongoing operation in Russia’s Kursk region is holding back an estimated 50,000 Russian troops, significantly impacting Moscow’s ability to launch attacks inside Ukraine.
In his nightly address, Zelensky said the operation aligns with Ukraine’s strategy to weaken Russia’s offensive capabilities. While some Western allies have questioned the feasibility of this goal, Zelensky continues to push its importance.
Reports from the Institute for the Study of War, a U.S.-based think tank, indicate that Russia initially had 11,000 troops in Kursk when Ukraine launched its unexpected incursion in August. However, according to The New York Times, Russia has managed to reinforce its forces in Kursk without reducing troop numbers elsewhere in Ukraine. The report also notes the presence of North Korean forces in Kursk, hinting at a potential Russian counter-offensive.
“Our men are holding back… 50,000 of the occupier’s army personnel who, due to the Kursk operation, cannot be deployed to other Russian offensive directions on our territory,” the Ukrainian president said.
General Syrskyy stressed the importance of the operation, noting that without Ukraine’s presence in Kursk, “tens of thousands of enemies from the best Russian assault units would have been storming”. The Donetsk region remains a hotspot of intense fighting.
Both Ukraine and Russia exchanged accusations on Monday over damage to a dam near the Ukrainian-held town of Kurakhove. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue their slow advance toward Pokrovsk, a critical logistics hub for Ukraine in Donetsk.
