President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian troops were “reinforcing” their positions in occupied Russian territory and further expanding their presence.
It’s been two weeks since Ukrainian soldiers invaded Russia’s Kursk region, the deepest operation since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion more than two years ago.
Troops are continuing to advance further towards Kursk, the force said in a daily report.
Moscow called the incursion a major provocation and vowed to retaliate with a “valuable response”.
President Zelensky said in a statement on the messaging app Telegram: “Thanks to all the soldiers and commanders who held Russian military prisoners, the release of soldiers and civilians held in Russia is closer.
“General Silsky also reported on the strengthening of our troop positions in the Kursk region and the expansion of stable territories.”
Russia said its forces had pushed back Ukrainians near three settlements in the Kursk region and were searching for “mobile enemy groups” trying to penetrate deeper into the country.
Kiev claimed control of more than 80 settlements during the invasion.
His latest statement comes after Ukraine Destroyed a strategically important bridge Crossing the River Seme this week.
The Kremlin has used the bridge to supply its troops, and its destruction could hamper those efforts.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the bridge was “completely destroyed” and volunteers helping to evacuate civilians were killed.
However, as Ukraine moves further into western Russian territory, Russian forces have also made gains in eastern Ukraine, seizing a series of villages in recent weeks.
Russia struck at least four Ukrainian regions on Saturday, including northeastern Kharkiv, according to Ukrainian officials.
Zelensky said on Saturday that Russia had carried out “dozens of attacks” on Ukrainian positions near the cities of Toletsk and Pokrovsk.
Pokrovsk is an important logistics hub and is located on the main supply road for the Ukrainian army on the eastern front.
“Our soldiers and troops are doing everything possible to destroy the occupiers and repel attacks,” the Ukrainian president said, stressing that the situation was “under control.”
