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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his military’s successful penetration of Russia’s Kursk region is merely one facet of an overarching strategy designed to secure a decisive victory. He is slated to reveal the blueprint of this plan to US President Joe Biden during their forthcoming meeting.
Gen Syrskyi said Ukraine had no intention of holding on to the territory and that one motivation for the incursion was to distract Russia’s forces away from their own offensive in eastern Ukraine. Russia is seeking to capture the town of Pokrovsk, which is an important hub and home to a key railway station.
At a forum on Tuesday, President Zelensky offered a candid assessment of what Ukraine needs to move forward. He stressed that President Biden’s backing is crucial and that the US must deliver on its promises. Just as important, he said, is whether Ukraine will have the autonomy to carry out the plan without external interference.
President Zelensky acknowledged that the plan might seem ambitious, but he stressed its importance for Ukraine’s future. He also plans to present the strategy to both US presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, to ensure that Ukraine’s interests are represented and supported, regardless of the election’s outcome.
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Earlier this month, Ukrainian troops made a surprise push into Russia’s Kursk region, and so far, Russian forces have been unable to push them back. This unexpected development has put Moscow in a tricky spot, as it tries to figure out its next move.
Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s top military commander, revealed that Ukrainian forces have gained control of a significant swath of Russian territory, spanning approximately 1,294 square kilometers and encompassing 100 settlements. However, these claims have yet to be independently verified.
President Zelensky also revealed that Ukraine had recently carried out the first successful test of a domestically-produced ballistic missile. He congratulated his country’s defence industry, but declined to share any more details of the missile.
Ukraine has taken steps to reduce its reliance on Western assistance by developing its own domestic military production capabilities. While the country has utilized US-provided ballistic missiles in strikes against Russia, it is now focusing on building self-sufficiency in its defense industry.
