Ukraine’s Top General Syrskyi: Kursk Operation Disrupted Russian Plans

Ukraine’s military operations in Russia’s Kursk region hold significant strategic importance, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi. He stated that these operations successfully disrupted Russia’s attempt to create a ‘sanitary zone’  in Ukraine’s Sumy region.

According to Syrskyi, Ukrainian forces have established a security zone within Russian territory along the border, controlling approximately 500 square kilometers. This has forced Russia to redeploy its most combat-ready units from other directions.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have been conducting operations in the Kursk region for approximately six months and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly referenced Kursk in discussions regarding potential negotiations with Russia.

“Last year, the enemy intended to turn this region into a ‘sanitary zone’ and planned to develop an offensive against Kharkiv and Sumy. Therefore, we acted in advance and conducted our own offensive operation, transferring combat operations to the enemy’s territory in the Kursk region. We have thwarted the enemy’s plans,” Syrskyi stated.

He noted that Ukrainian commanders in active combat zones provided assessments and strategic recommendations based on their frontline experience. Their input helped shape decisions to ensure that Ukrainian forces receive the necessary weapons, equipment, personnel, and logistical support to improve their defensive and overall combat effectiveness.

On February 12, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia would not consider territorial exchanges, responding to remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.