Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his forces are "strengthening" their positions in Russia's Kursk region, where Kiev is conducting a major ground offensive.
His comments come a day after Russian officials accused Ukraine of destroying a key bridge over the Seym River that crosses the border region as Kiev tries to disrupt Moscow's troop movements in the area.
Ukrainian army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Sirskyi "reported on the strengthening of our forces' positions in the Kursk region and the expansion of stabilized territory," Zelensky said in a Telegram post.
"As of this morning, we have replenished the exchange fund for our country," Zelensky said, referring to Russian soldiers that Ukraine has captured to be used in future prisoner exchanges.
"I thank all the soldiers and commanders who take Russian soldiers captive and thus bring closer the release of our soldiers and civilians held by Russia," Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian army launched its surprise offensive into Russia on August 6, claiming to have captured several dozen villages in the largest cross-border attack on Russian territory since World War II.
Separately, Zelensky said the situation on the eastern front near the towns of Pokrovsk and Toretsk was "under control" after Russia reportedly carried out a number of offensives towards them in recent weeks.
"(In the last twenty-four hours) there have been dozens of Russian attacks on our positions. But our soldiers and troops are doing their best to destroy the occupier and repel the attacks," Zelensky said. | BGNES
