Zelensky Hints Ukraine's Bold Cross-Border Raid Was a Message to Putin
Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has hinted that his country's daring cross-border raid into Russia was a strategic move to make Russian President Vladimir Putin feel the direct consequences of his invasion of Ukraine.
In a recent address, Zelensky praised the Ukrainian army for its ability "to surprise" and "achieve results," marking his first public comments that appear to reference the operation in Russia’s Kursk region, though he stopped short of explicitly naming it.
On Tuesday, around 1,000 Ukrainian troops, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, successfully breached the Russian border and advanced into the Kursk region. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian forces penetrated more than six miles into Russian territory, breaking through two defensive lines and a stronghold.
In response to the intense fighting, Russia declared a state of emergency, despite state media's efforts to downplay the situation as being under control. Reports indicated that 3,000 people were evacuated from the area as the conflict intensified.
"Russia brought the war to our land and should feel what it has done," Zelensky stated, underscoring Ukraine's determination to push back against Russian aggression.
The conflict escalated further overnight as Ukrainian forces launched a "massive" drone strike in Russia's Lipetsk region, according to the regional governor. The strike led to the evacuation of four villages and left six people injured, adding to the growing pressure on Russian forces.
The Ukrainian incursion and subsequent drone strike are seen as significant moves in the ongoing conflict, signaling Kyiv's resolve to hold Moscow accountable for its actions and demonstrating the capability of Ukrainian forces to strike deep within Russian territory.