Zelenskyy says Ukrainian offensive advancing as Belgorod declares emergency
Al Jazeera
The Ukrainian leader says 100 Russian soldiers captured since surprise incursion began, as Russia denies strategic impact.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said an incursion into the Russian region of Kursk has been achieving its strategic goals, with Russia swiftly pushing back on the claims.
In a Telegram post on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian troops had advanced between one and two kilometres in various areas of Russia throughout the day.
He said 100 Russian soldiers had been captured in the surprise invasion, which began last week.
In his nightly address, Zelenskyy called the operation a “good advance”, while appealing to Western allies to allow Ukrainian forces to use long-range missiles they have provided to strike targets deeper inside of Russia.
Western officials have largely resisted those appeals for fear of a wider escalation with Russia, with some exceptions.
