Ukraine Captures 1,263 Square Kilometers in Russia, 93 Settlements Are Now Under Control—Map

The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, released a current map showing the territories under Ukrainian control. The Ukrainian army has advanced 28-35 kilometers into Russian territory, depending on the sector of the frontline, stated Syrskyi.

Ukraine now controls 93 settlements. The Ukrainian government emphasizes that these territories are not occupied. Since Russian authorities fled these areas, a military commandant's office has been established to maintain order. The Ukrainian army is responsible for keeping order and assisting local residents. Residents in these towns and villages are receiving humanitarian aid, including food, water, and medicine. They can also submit additional requests to the local commandants for further assistance, which will be provided after approval. 

"Most of the remaining residents are over 60 and require access to medication and specialized treatment,” stated Ukraine’s Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko. “We are ensuring this.” 

Ukraine is rapidly advancing in its offensive. Syrskyi reported to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a few days ago that the Ukrainian Armed Forces controlled approximately 1,000 square kilometers. Since then, the Ukrainian army has expanded its success by 25% of the controlled territory. Offensive actions continue, but Ukraine is not disclosing its intentions or plans.

Secrecy and silence are the cornerstones of the operation in Kursk. Ukraine did not inform its allies about the operation's preparation, as many might have deemed such actions impossible, said Zelenskyy.

"Active defense is the best countermeasure against Russia," he said.

The Russian army is already redeploying troops from other sectors of the front to try to halt the advancing Ukrainian offensive, reported Syrskyi. Russia is being forced to withdraw troops engaged in combat in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are fortifying their positions, with future actions contingent on the frontline situation. The Ukrainian soldiers are currently outpacing the Russians, preventing them from organizing a defense.

Since the start of the operation, Ukraine has significantly increased its pool of prisoners of war, though the exact number of captured Russians has not been disclosed.

Over the summer, Russia launched 2,000 shells from artillery installations, more than a hundred missiles, and guided aerial bombs at the border areas and cities of the Sumy region. Therefore, Ukraine’s goals for the offensive in the Kursk region are to create a buffer zone that would prevent attacks on the Sumy region and inflict losses on the Russian army, according to Syrskyi.

Zelenskyy has once again reminded Ukraine's partners that granting permission to strike Russian military targets on its territory with long-range missiles would enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities. Airfields are a key target; their destruction would cripple Russian aviation’s offensive capabilities.

The offensive in the Kursk region began overnight on August 6. Ukrainian forces swiftly crossed the Russian border and launched an offensive deep into Russian territory. Within a week, they managed to take control of approximately 1,000 square kilometers. Ukraine's partners approved extending the war to Russian territory and authorized the use of their equipment there.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Pokrovsk in the south remains one of the most intense areas of Ukraine’s defense. Syrskyi reported that Russian forces are aggressively trying to cut off the road between Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka. We’ve covered the situation in Pokrovsk in a separate article. The fierce fighting there is forcing Russia to withdraw some of its troops from Ukraine’s south.