Operation in Kursk Targets Russian Strikes, Not Territorial Gain, Says Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry

Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, stated during a press conference on August 13 that unlike Russia, Ukraine does not seek to capture foreign territories, and the Ukrainian side is not interested in taking over the Kursk region.

The MFA spokesperson noted that more than 2,000 strikes have been launched from the Kursk region into the Sumy region since the beginning of summer.

"Unfortunately, Ukraine cannot use its current long-range weapons to defend against this terror; we do not yet have the decisions we are advocating for. Therefore, it is necessary to use the Armed Forces to liberate these border areas from the Russian military contingent that is attacking Ukraine," Tykhyi said.

He emphasized that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are achieving their objectives in the Kursk region and will continue to act as needed for the safety and protection of Ukraine.

The MFA spokesperson added that the operation in the Kursk region benefits the front.

"It prevents Russia from transferring additional units to the Donetsk region and complicates its military logistics. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are a civilized European military force that fully adheres to the laws and customs of warfare and international humanitarian law. The goal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is solely military targets and military contingents," he stated.

Tykhyi added that the aim of the Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region is to protect Ukrainian lives from Russian strikes.

"Russia brought the war to Ukraine, and it is only fair that this war now returns to Russian territory. The sooner Russia agrees to restore just peace, the sooner Ukrainian raids into Russian territory will cease. As long as Putin continues the war, he will receive such responses from Ukraine," he emphasized.