Zelenskyy: Russian troops are attempting to breach Ukrainian defenses in Kursk Oblast for five days in row

On 14 October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff. The Ukrainian leader said on social media that major topics were focused on battles in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhiv fronts and Russian attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses in Kursk Oblast.

Earlier, Pavlo Rozlach, commander of the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told TSN that the Russian military began counteroffensive operations in Kursk Oblast, deploying 30,000 new soldiers.

In his view, the current Russian forces are insufficient to succeed or push back Ukrainian troops. He estimated that Russia would need three times as many troops to achieve success in Kursk Oblast.

The Russian grouping in the region includes units withdrawn from the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia fronts and several newly formed assault units. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions, occasionally attempting to achieve tactical improvements.

“I held another Supreme Military Staff meeting. Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on the operational situation. Active operations are happening across the entire front line, but the fighting is particularly fierce in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhiv directions. The Russians have been trying to break through our defense in Kursk Oblast for five days. Our troops are holding and counterattacking,” said Zelenskyy.

He added that during the meeting, he reviewed intelligence analysis shared by the military officials.

“There was deep analysis from the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) and the Foreign Intelligence Service on who is helping Russia conduct its aggressive war against Ukraine — militarily, economically, politically, both openly and covertly — and what steps we, along with our partners, need to take to weaken these criminal alliances,” the Ukrainian president emphasized.

He also mentioned that the Defense Ministry presented a report on current and future procurement contracts, including those using partner assistance and investments from key partners in Ukraine’s defense industry.

The incursion into Kursk Oblast began on 6 August 2024, and within the first few weeks, Ukrainian forces took control of approximately 1,300 square kilometers of Russian territory.

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