Ukrainian forces are still fighting in the Kursk region of Russia, Zelenski says one day after Moscow's announcement
Volodimir Zelenski. Photo: Ukraine Presidency / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski said on Sunday that his country's army was still fighting in the Kursk region of Russia, one day after Moscow claimed the “full release” of the area, AFP reports.
“Our army continues to actively defend the designated areas of Kursk and Belgorod regions,” Zelenski said on Telegram, mentioning that the situation remains difficult in many areas, including Kursk.
Russia said on Saturday that it captured Gornal, the last area under Ukrainian control in the Russian Kursk border region, where Kiev forces launched a surprising offensive in August 2024, the largest attack on Russian territory after the Nazi invasion of World War II.
Also on Saturday, a few hours after the announcement of Moscow, the Ukrainian army denied that his forces were forced to leave the area, qualifying the statements of the Russian part as “propaganda tricks.”
“The situation on the front line and the concrete activities of the Russian army prove that the current pressure on Russia to put an end to this war is not enough,” said Volodimir Zelenski, on Sunday, demanding pressure to create more opportunities for “real diplomacy.”
Zelenski met Trump at the Vatican
The previous day, the Ukrainian leader met with his American counterpart, in the Vatican, in the margin of Pope Francis, to discuss a possible cessation of fire.
“It was a very symbolic meeting that has the potential to become historical, if we get common results. Thank you, Mr. President Donald Trump!”, Zelenski told Telegram about meeting Trump.
After the short discussion he had with Volodimir Zelenski in Saint Peter's Basilica, Donald Trump addressed a public message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“There is no reason for Putin to shoot with rockets in civilian areas, cities and localities, in the last days. It makes me think that he may not want to stop the war, only leads me, and that he must be treated differently, through” secondary sanctions “or” banking “? Too many people!”
Kiev hoped he could use the situation in Kursk as a negotiation lever in future peace discussions with Russia, who occupied parts of the east and southern Ukraine.
The chief of the General Staff of the Russian army, Valeri Gherasimov, praised in particular the “heroism” of the North Korean soldiers who fought in the Kursk campaign, confirming for the first time their participation in the conflict.
Several Russian military bloggers who closely monitor the conflict have stated that battles are still in progress around the forests between Russia and Ukraine.
A local commander of the Russian army in Kursk also said that the army is still operating in the region, according to a show broadcast on Sunday by the state television.
