Ukraine claims it now holds 100 settlements in Russia

Top military commander says Kyiv’s troops now control 500 square miles of territory in Kursk after this month’s incursion

- ALEXANDER BUTLER

Ukraine claims to have taken control of 100 settlements in Russia’s Kursk region during its surprise cross-border assault – while facing massive airstrikes from Russian forces for the second day running. Kyiv’s top military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said his troops now control 1,294 sq km (500 sq m) of Russian territory in Kursk, with up to 594 Russian prisoners of war taken.

Three weeks ago, Russia was caught by surprise in the neighbouring Kursk region when thousands of Ukrainian soldiers punched through the border in an unprecedented move. Colonel General Syrskyi said Kyiv’s objective of distracting Russian troops by pulling them back from eastern Ukrainian regions like the Donbas had been successful.

However, Col Gen Syrskyi also warned Moscow was building up its forces on the eastern frontline, around the important logistics hub of Pokrovsk, where Russian troops have been advancing. In remarks broadcast on television, he said by video link that Russia was trying to disrupt Ukraine’s supply lines to the front near Pokrovsk.

“The situation on the Pokrovsk front is fairly difficult. The enemy is using its advantage in personnel, weapons and military equipment; it is actively using artillery and aviation,” he said. It comes after at least five people were killed as Russia launched another major wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine just a day after Moscow’s biggest air attack since the war began.