After Ukrainian President Zelensky on Saturday confirmed that Kyiv was conducting a cross-border offensive into Russia and Ukrainian forces had advanced more than 10 km into the western Kursk region, Moscow on Sunday seemed to recognise that Ukrainian troops had moved even further. 

Russia’s defence ministry reported engagements with Ukrainian forces near towns located 25 km and 30 km from the border, marking Ukraine’s deepest incursion since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, according to a report by BBC.

"Ukraine is demonstrating its ability to restore justice and apply the necessary pressure on the aggressor," Zelensky stated in his nightly address from Kyiv.

He continued by expressing gratitude to Ukraine's "warriors" and mentioned that he had spoken with the country's chief military commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, about the operation in Russia.

A senior Ukrainian official informed the AFP news agency that the operation involved thousands of troops, significantly more than the minor incursion initially reported by Russian border guards.

Ukrainian Troops Claim Control Of Several Settlements In Kursk

Ukrainian forces have reported capturing several settlements in the Kursk region. In Guevo, a village approximately 3 km inside Russia, soldiers recorded themselves taking down the Russian flag from an administrative building, as reported by BBC.

Additionally, videos have surfaced showing Ukrainian troops taking control of administrative buildings in Sverdlikovo and Poroz, while intense clashes have been reported in Sudzha, a town with around 5,000 residents. The ongoing conflict has led to the evacuation of 76,000 people from the area.