Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrsky announced on Friday that Ukraine’s offensive operations in Russia’s Kursk region have made significant advances. In a video shared on social media, Syrsky informed President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukrainian forces have pushed forward by one to three kilometers in several areas.
“The troops of the offensive group are actively engaged in combat and have moved forward by one to three kilometers in certain areas toward the adversary,” Syrsky stating that fighting continues along the entire front line and expressed optimism about capturing “many prisoners” in the ongoing battle near the village of Mala Loknya, located approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the Ukrainian-Russian border.
Ukraine launched a surprise offensive in the Kursk region 10 days ago and claims to have taken control of over 80 settlements in the area. Despite some losses, Ukrainian officials are capitalizing on the momentum in Kursk, with Col. Gen. Syrsky confirming that the offensive is progressing well and that troops are steadily advancing toward Russian positions.
The offensive has sparked a wave of enthusiasm among Ukrainians, who have endured the Russian invasion for nearly three years. The successful campaign has also brought renewed attention to 59-year-old Syrsky, who was appointed as military chief in February but has remained less well-known than his predecessor, Valery Zaluzhny, a national hero.
Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko described the Kursk offensive as characteristic of Syrsky’s approach: “a quick, unexpected, and out-of-the-box military operation.”
