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"We do not need their land": Zelensky announces plans for the territory under his control in Kursk region
Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Source: The Office of the President
Ukraine plans to hold the Russian territories it has entered "indefinitely." However, they will be liberated as soon as certain goals are achieved, which is why the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an offensive in the Kursk region. One of them is negotiations with the Russian dictator to end the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC News. At the same time, he refused to confirm or deny plans for new similar counteroffensives on Russian territory.
"We do not need their land. We do not want to bring our Ukrainian way of life there. However, for now, Ukraine will hold this territory because it is an integral part of the victory plan. We need it for now," the American broadcaster quoted Zelensky as saying.
The Ukrainian leader clarified that the counteroffensive in Kursk region launched on August 6 was a "preventive strike" to prevent Russians from seizing the Ukrainian border area and to stop attacks in this direction.
But when asked whether Ukraine plans to try to take more Russian territory, Zelensky refused to answer.
"I won't say, sorry. With all due respect, I cannot talk about this. I think success depends on surprise," he said.
Separately, Zelensky emphasized that the Biden administration was not aware of the plans for an offensive in Russia.
"We did not inform anyone. And it's not about distrust. Even the Ukrainian special services did not know. I narrowed the circle of people who knew about this operation as much as possible. I think that this is one of the reasons for its success," Zelenskyy said, adding that premature talk of a counteroffensive in 2023 had actually thwarted it.
The Ukrainian leader also confirmed that one of the goals of the operation in the Kursk region was to draw the invaders away from other areas in Ukraine. And it partially succeeded. According to Zelenskyy, Russia has moved 60,000 invaders from Ukraine to Kursk.
As reported by OBOZ.UA, as of September 3, our units in the Kursk region advanced in the area of Mala Loknya, Olhivka, and Sheptukhivka.
Although Russian troops have recently regained previously lost ground east of Korenevo in Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian forces have advanced northwest of Sudzha, forcing the Russians to retreat to avoid encirclement.
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