Zelensky Asserts Russia Must Face War Consequences Amid Ukrainian Offensive in Kursk Region
As Ukraine continues its offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that Moscow must “feel” the repercussions of its invasion of Ukraine. In a Thursday evening address, Zelensky stated, “Russia brought the war to our land and must face the consequences of its actions,” though he refrained from directly mentioning the ongoing Ukrainian assault.
Zelensky’s remarks come three days after Ukrainian forces reportedly crossed into Russia, marking one of the most significant incursions since the conflict began. According to Russian authorities, around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers, backed by tanks and armored vehicles, breached the Russian border on Tuesday morning.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced the Ukrainian offensive as a “major provocation.” However, Ukrainian officials have remained largely silent, offering few details about the operation. The situation on the ground remains unclear, with limited information available from both sides.
Earlier on Thursday, Zelensky praised the Ukrainian military’s ability to “surprise and achieve results,” again without directly referencing the attack in Kursk. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced it is monitoring the situation at the Kursk nuclear plant, according to Russian state media outlet RIA-Novosti.
Russia’s defense ministry reported that its forces are continuing to target Ukrainian units with airstrikes, rockets, and artillery fire. Additional Russian troops have been deployed to the region to counter the Ukrainian advance.
The Institute for the Study of War, a respected think tank, has verified that Ukrainian armored vehicles advanced approximately 10 kilometers into the Kursk region during the first two days of the incursion. Domestically, Russia’s military leadership is facing increasing scrutiny, with some prominent pro-war Telegram channels expressing concerns over the situation on the ground, challenging the Kremlin’s narrative of stability.
On Wednesday, the head of Ukraine’s Sumy region, Volodymyr Artyukh, ordered the evacuation of areas bordering Kursk for safety reasons. Similarly, in Russia’s Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that Ukrainian forces had attacked several settlements over the past day.
The surprise offensive has also prompted reactions from Ukraine’s key allies. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre indicated that the U.S. is seeking clarification from Ukraine on the objectives of this operation.
This incursion is not the first of its kind. Previously, anti-Kremlin Russian groups launched raids into Russian territory, including in Belgorod and Kursk, which were repelled after clashes with Russian forces.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko claimed on Wednesday evening that Ukrainian forces had taken control of the Sudzha gas hub, a critical facility for the transit of Russian natural gas to the EU, which has remained operational despite the war. As of Thursday, reports indicated that gas was still flowing from Sudzha.
In response to the Ukrainian advance, Russia’s National Guard has increased security measures around the Kursk nuclear power plant, located about 70 kilometers northeast of Sudzha.
For months, Russia has made incremental gains in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donbas region, where Ukrainian forces have been under constant assault. However, in a recent interview, Ukraine’s head of defense intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, suggested that Russia’s main offensive efforts might wind down within the next two months.
