Ukraine Appears To Expand Territorial Control In Kursk Oblast

Olena Tregub at Ukraine's Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) writes on X that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been, "briefed by his commander-in-chief that Ukraine currently controls 1000 square kilometers of Russian territory."

• AFP ran a headline a short time ago, likely noting that same report: "Ukrainian troops hold 1,000 square kilometres of Russia: military chief."
• If confirmed, the extent of the territorial gains that have come as part of an weeklong cross-border offensive campaign that has faced little Russian resistance, appears far greater than most Western media outlets are reporting.
• The FT reported a short time ago: "Despite Russia deploying reinforcements to the two areas, Kyiv has succeeded in occupying at least 140 sq km of territory, according to Ukrainian war analysis site Deepstate, which has links to the military."
• The precise objectives of the operation remain unclear and concrete information on the ground is sparse. There is speculation that Ukraine could be either seeking to divert frontline Russian troops away from the Doneskt front or seeking territorial leverage for ceasefire talks, although there is no suggestion that any talks could take place in the near-future.
• AP notes that, "Acting Kursk Gov. Alexei Smirnov reported to Putin that Ukrainian forces had pushed 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) into the Kursk region across a 40-kilometre (25-mile) front and currently control 28 Russian settlements."
• The Washington Post notes: "...the ongoing incursion has posed a major new test for Putin’s leadership, once more exposing Russian military weakness in regions that were supposed to be under tight control. The Ukrainian advance also sent shock waves through Russia’s elite..."