Zelensky Acknowledges Ukrainian Presence in Russia’s Belgorod Region Ukrainian

Zelensky Acknowledges Ukrainian Presence in Russia's Belgorod Region Ukrainian .

President Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted for the first time that Ukrainian forces are operating within Russia's Belgorod region, which shares a border with Ukraine. "We are actively conducting operations in border areas on enemy territory, and that is entirely justified—war should return to the place it originated from," he stated on Monday. He also mentioned Ukraine's activities in the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukrainian troops still control a small area following a significant offensive from last year, although Moscow has since regained most of the territory. Zelensky emphasized that "the main goal" is to safeguard Ukraine's Sumy and Kharkiv regions and to "reduce the pressure" on other sections of the extensive front line, particularly in eastern Donetsk. Last month, Russia's military reported Ukrainian attempts to penetrate Belgorod but claimed these assaults were successfully repelled. These areas are located only a short distance from the Ukrainian border. In 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to Moscow's control of approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. The Kremlin has dismissed allegations from the U.S. and Europe that it is delaying U.S. President Donald Trump's calls for a ceasefire in the conflict. Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation, claiming Russia is "bombing like crazy right now," following a Russian missile strike in Zelensky's hometown of Kryvyi Rih that killed 20 people, including nine children, the previous Friday.

In a recent video address, Zelensky reported being briefed on the frontlines by General Oleksandr Syrskyi, discussing "our presence in the Kursk and Belgorod regions." He also expressed gratitude to various military units, particularly the 225th Assault Regiment in Belgorod, saying, "Great job, everyone! I'm proud of all who fight for Ukraine!" Zelensky's acknowledgment marks his first explicit admission of military operations in Belgorod. Previously, he had only indirectly confirmed their presence, stating on March 18 that "there is an operation there" in response to questions about a Russian defense ministry statement concerning unsuccessful Ukrainian attempts to enter the western part of Belgorod. Russia had claimed to have thwarted all Ukrainian efforts to advance toward the villages of Demidovka and Prilesye, asserting that a cross-border raid had been blocked.

However, several Russian military bloggers reported clashes in Demidovka, located just about two kilometers from Ukraine's border. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), based in the United States, noted on March 21 that "Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Belgorod," with Russian milbloggers indicating that Ukrainian troops were consolidating positions in Demidovka and Prilesye, though such reports lacked verification. In recent days, Russian military bloggers have claimed that Ukrainian forces are withdrawing from the Demidovka area. The scale of Ukraine's operation in Belgorod is believed to be much smaller compared to its activities in Kursk, where Ukrainian forces at one point captured several villages, including the regional town of Sudzha. Zelensky and his military leaders have frequently stated that such incursions have compelled Moscow to redeploy troops from the Donetsk region, where Russian forces have been making gradual but steady advances. Ukraine may also be looking to exchange any territory it occupies in Russia during future peace negotiations, potentially trading it for Ukrainian regions currently controlled by Moscow, a scenario supported by the U.S. Numerous military analysts in Ukraine and the West have raised questions about the strategic value of Kyiv's operations on Russian soil, highlighting concerns about high casualties and challenges in securing adequate weapon supplies.

Amid these developments, speculation is growing about a possible summer election in Ukraine, as well as Trump's fluctuating impact on U.S.-Russia relations and the timeline for ceasefire decisions from Putin.

BBC