Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clarified that the bold military incursion into the Russian province of Kursk aims to create a buffer zone to prevent Moscow from launching further attacks across the border. This marked the first time Zelensky explicitly stated the goal of the operation, which began on August 6. Previously, he mentioned that the operation seeks to protect communities in the bordering Sumy region from continuous shelling.
Zelensky said, "Our primary mission now in defensive operations, in general, is to destroy as much of Russia's war potential as possible and to conduct as many counter-offensive actions as possible. This includes creating a buffer zone on the territory of the aggressor – our operation in Kursk."
Over the weekend, officials reported that Ukraine had destroyed a major bridge in the region and struck a second nearby bridge, disrupting supply lines as they continued their incursion across the border. Pro-Kremlin military bloggers in Russia acknowledged that the destruction of the first bridge, spanning the Sim River near the town of Glushkov, would hinder the delivery of supplies to Russian forces countering the Ukrainian incursion, although Moscow can still utilize floating bridges and smaller bridges in the area.
Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk released a video on Friday showing a Ukrainian airstrike that split the bridge in half. Less than two days later, Ukrainian forces struck a second bridge in Russia, according to Oleschuk and Russian regional governor Alexei Smirnov. The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify these claims, but if confirmed, the Ukrainian strikes would complicate Moscow's attempts to reinforce its forces in Kursk and evacuate civilians.
Kyiv had not previously disclosed much about the scope and objectives of its incursion into Russia with tanks and other armored vehicles, marking the largest attack on the country since World War II, which surprised the Kremlin and resulted in the capture of dozens of villages and hundreds of prisoners by Ukrainians.
Ukrainians entered deep into the Kursk region in several directions, facing little resistance and causing chaos and panic as tens of thousands of civilians fled the area. Last week, Ukrainian Army Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi claimed that his forces advanced through an area of 1,000 square kilometers (390 square miles) of the region, although it was not possible to independently verify what the Ukrainian forces actually control.
President Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces "achieved good results and were in dire need of them." Analysts say that while Ukraine may attempt to consolidate its gains within Russia, it would be risky given Kyiv's limited resources, as its supply lines extending deep into Kursk would be vulnerable.
The incursion has demonstrated Ukraine's ability to seize the initiative and boost its morale, which had been drained by a failed counteroffensive last summer and months of Russian gains in the eastern Donbas region.
