Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in Belgorod region: Zelenskyy explains the goal

As of today, more than 67,000 Russian troops are stationed in the Kursk direction. They were finalizing this redeployment for an offensive on the Sumy direction.

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a conversation with journalists.

According to him, to disrupt the enemy’s plans and prevent an invasion, the Ukrainian Armed Forces decided to launch an operation in Belgorod region.

“We needed to slightly alter their (the Russians’ — Ed.) plans. Accordingly, steps were taken in Kursk region, where it borders the Belgorod direction. Our fighters made the appropriate moves, which stretched the enemy and prevented the Russians from forming the offensive "fist" they had counted on,” the Head of State said.

The President noted that “a lot of attacks are taking place” in the Belgorod direction.

“The highest number of attacks, on average, is occurring precisely in that direction. This morning, I had a meeting with Syrskyi, Hnatov, and Drapaty. They provided me with a detailed report on what’s happening, where we have challenges, and where we have successes,” he said.

In his opinion, Ukraine’s steps regarding the Belgorod direction are correct to prevent the Russians from concentrating a single “fist” in either the Kharkiv or Sumy directions.

“That’s what’s happening today. They’re making a lot of attempts there, daily. They’re suffering losses. The Russian army’s greatest successes were in November last year, with their fastest advances. After that, their losses increased significantly, and their progress began to slow. We believe this is the moment when everything started working at full capacity. Both Kursk and everything else started working better on our side, despite all the existing difficulties,” Zelenskyy said.

Situation on the Pokrovsk frontline

According to the President, it cannot yet be said with 100% certainty that the situation is fully stabilized on the Pokrovsk frontline.

“But there’s no advance in Pokrovsk. You could say it’s stabilized, but it’s tough there. They’re still trying in some areas; fierce fighting continues in Shevchenkove,” he said.

Russia’s further plans

In Zelenskyy’s view, as far as the front is concerned, the Kremlin’s plans remain unchanged — targeting the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia directions, eastern Ukraine, and reaching the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

“That was their intention from the very start of the war. They’re trying very hard to achieve it. We don’t see them having sufficient forces today in the East or the Zaporizhzhia direction. There will be more attempts in the Kharkiv and Sumy directions,” he warned.