Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Ukraine conducts operation in the Kursk region to protect its territory
13 August, 2024 Russian convoy in the Kursk region of Russia. August 9, 2024. Photo credits: AP
The purpose of the Ukrainian Defense Forces offensive in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation is to protect its citizens and territories from Russian attacks. Unlike Russia, Ukraine does not seek to seize the territories of other states. Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, stated this at a press conference, Ukrinform reports.
Ukraine is not interested in taking away the territories of the Kursk region from Russia. However, he noted that Ukraine wishes to protect the lives of its people. This operation also helps the frontline.
In this context, he pointed out that since the beginning of the summer, more than 2,000 strikes have been launched from the territory of the Kursk region against the districts of the Sumy region of Ukraine. Multiple launch rocket systems, cannon fire, drones, 250 guided bombs, and more than a hundred missiles are used to strike Ukraine.
A sign on the Russian-Ukrainian border with the inscription "Kursk". August 2024.
Ukraine. Photo credits: Radio Liberty
Heorhii Tykhyi emphasized that "Ukraine does not have enough capabilities to deliver long-range strikes with the available weapons to defend itself against this terror." "Therefore, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberate these border areas from Russian military contingents that strike at Ukraine or cover up terror against Ukrainians.
We are achieving these goals in the Kursk region. We will continue to do so as necessary for the security and defense of Ukraine," the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. He added that the military operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region helps the frontline by preventing Russia from moving additional units to the Donetsk region and complicating its military logistics.
Russian prisoners of war in the Kursk region.
August 2024. Photo credits: DeepState
"The Armed Forces of Ukraine is a civilized European military force that fully complies with the laws and customs of warfare and international humanitarian law. Only military facilities and military personnel are targeted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he said.
According to Tykhyi, there is already evidence that Moscow is very concerned that the operation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces is taking place without violations of international humanitarian law, which they would like to use in their propaganda. "Therefore, there are reasonable suspicions that such incidents can be created and fabricated by Russia. In particular, by disguising the Russian military in Ukrainian uniforms.
That is why we urge our partners to remain vigilant and not to fall for Russian propaganda," he said. As previously reported, active fighting has been going on in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation since August 6.
However, the Ukrainian General Staff has not yet provided any comments on this matter.
Only on August 12, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated that about 1,000 km2 of Russian territory is under the control of Ukrainian troops.