Ukraine Successfully Established Buffer Zone in Kursk Region, Says Zelenskyy

Ukraine has successfully created a buffer zone within Russian territory as a result of a military operation conducted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kursk region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram on October 21.

According to Zelenskyy, during a meeting with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, they discussed the situation along various fronts in Ukraine, including the ongoing operation in Kursk.

“Regarding the Kursk operation: We are holding our positions and preventing the enemy from expanding the war onto our land. Instead of the buffer zone Russia had planned on Ukrainian territory, we have established a buffer zone near our border on Russian soil,” Zelenskyy stated.

Additionally, during the meeting, Zelenskyy assigned new tasks related to defense support negotiations with Ukraine’s international partners.

Earlier, The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that Ukraine’s operations in the Kursk region are likely increasing Russia’s willingness to engage in prisoner exchanges.