Zelensky Acknowledges Ukrainian Troops Operating Inside Russia's Belgorod Region

Zelensky's admission marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's response to the ongoing conflict, aiming to alleviate pressure on critical border regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a historic acknowledgment that Ukrainian forces are actively engaged in operations within Russia's Belgorod region, which shares a border with Ukraine. In a recent statement, he declared, “We continue to carry out active operations in the border areas on enemy territory, and that is absolutely just - war must return to where it came from.” This announcement also highlighted Ukraine’s continued presence in Russia's Kursk region, following a major offensive last year that allowed Ukraine to retain a small area before Russian forces regained control.

Zelensky underscored that the primary goal of these operations is to secure the border regions of Sumy and Kharkiv, while also aiming to relieve pressure on the extensive front line, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region. Just last month, the Russian military claimed to have thwarted Ukrainian attempts to penetrate the Belgorod region, although the areas involved are only marginally deep within Russian territory.

The backdrop of this escalation is Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has persisted since 2022 and has resulted in Moscow holding approximately 20% of Ukrainian land. Amidst these developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin rebuffed assertions from the US and Europe alleging a reluctance to pursue a ceasefire, even as former President Donald Trump criticized current hostilities.

In a somber note, Zelensky referred to the tragic missile strike in Kryvyi Rih that recently claimed the lives of 20 individuals, including nine children. He remains in close contact with military leadership, having discussed the current situation regarding operations in the Kursk and Belgorod regions. In his address, the president expressed pride in the armed forces, particularly the 225th Assault Regiment engaged in Belgorod, though he refrained from providing extensive details about the troops' maneuvers.

This statement follows a more subtle confirmation back in March when Zelensky hinted at operations in the region without direct acknowledgment of Ukrainian soldiers’ presence. While reports indicate that fighting has taken place near villages such as Demidovka, capturing the complexities of engagement within Russian territory remains fraught with speculation.

While the scale of Ukraine's operations in Belgorod appears limited compared to its efforts in Kursk, military analysts from both Ukraine and abroad have critiqued the tactical wisdom of such incursions, citing significant combat losses and challenges in securing adequate military supplies. These strategic decisions could potentially play into future peace talks, where Ukraine may seek to leverage its activities for bargaining over territories currently occupied by Russian forces.