Ukraine has no interest in annexing Russian territory, defends its own land – Ukrainian foreign ministry addresses events in Kursk region
Photo: UNIAN
Ukraine has no plans to take over Russia's Kursk region, but its priority is to safeguard the well-being of Ukraine's citizens. Moreover, the operation prevents the Russian enemy from moving more troops to the Donetsk region and disrupts its supply chain.
According to Interfax-Ukraine, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhy, stated this at a briefing on August 13.
The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Ukraine is not interested in capturing Russian territories, and its operations are aimed at protecting the lives of Ukrainians and complicating the logistics of the Russian military.
"Ukraine's armed forces are a civilized European military force that adheres to international humanitarian law. The objectives of Ukraine's armed forces are only military objects, and the purpose of operations is to preserve the lives of our people and protect the territory of Ukraine," Tykhy emphasized.
The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that Ukrainian forces' raids on Russian territory helped prevent the transfer of Russian units to the Donetsk region and complicate the enemy's logistical operations.
He mentioned that over 2,000 strikes have been conducted in the Sumy region from the neighboring Kursk region of Russia since the start of summer. These strikes have involved the deployment of:
- 255 guided aerial bombs,
- and over 100 missiles.
The spokesman also reminded that Ukraine does not have sufficient capabilities for long-range strikes to respond to these attacks.
"That is why there is a need to conduct operations of Ukraine's armed forces to liberate the border areas from Russian military contingents that are attacking Ukraine," Tykhy emphasized.
In addition, the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs drew attention to possible attempts by Russia to fabricate violations of international humanitarian law by Ukrainian forces, in particular, by disguising Russian military personnel in Ukrainian uniforms.
"We warn our partners to be ready for such developments and vigilant so as not to succumb to Russian propaganda," the spokesman added.
For reference:
On the morning of August 6, information appeared on Russian Telegram channels that Ukrainian defenders allegedly broke through the border and entered the territory of the Kursk region, Russia.
The Russian Federation's dictator, Vladimir Putin, recently had a virtual meeting with the acting governor of the Kursk region, Aleksey Smirnov, and encouraged him to stay strong and composed. Additionally, the Russian government has announced plans to provide 10,000 rubles ($116) to residents of the Kursk region who evacuated from high-risk areas.
According to the Washington Post, Ukraine now controls the Sudzha gas measuring station, located approximately 8 kilometers deep in Russia. Russia does not deny this.
On August 12, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's armed forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, directly confirmed the Ukrainian military's offensive operation in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation for the first time. Currently, Ukrainian troops control about a thousand square kilometers of Russian territory.
It is worth noting that as of August 12, the Ukrainian army controls approximately 44 settlements in the Kursk region of Russia, reports DeepState.
