Zelenskyy Confirms Ukrainian Operations in Russia’s Belgorod Region

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the presence of Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Belgorod region, following a report by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on the situation at the front.

In his evening address on April 7, Zelenskyy acknowledged ongoing Ukrainian military operations in the Kursk and Belgorod regions of Russia. He stated, “We continue active operations in the border areas on enemy territory, and this is absolutely fair–the war must return to where it came from.”

The President emphasized that the primary goal of these operations is to protect Ukrainian territory, particularly communities in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, from Russian forces.

He also noted the success of Ukrainian forces in reducing pressure on other parts of the front, especially in Donetsk, due to operations in the Kursk region.

Zelenskyy’s remarks follow reports from Russian military correspondents in March that suggested a Ukrainian incursion into Belgorod, though Ukrainian officials had not previously confirmed the activity.

The Institute for the Study of War had also noted Ukrainian advances in the region.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in his April 6 evening address that Russia has rejected an unconditional ceasefire to maintain its strikes on Ukrainian cities and ports from the Black Sea.