KYIV — Ukraine’s top commander announced on Thursday that Kyiv had established a military commandant’s office in a portion of Russia’s occupied Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces continue to push forward. Over the last 24 hours, Ukrainian troops have advanced up to 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles).
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi informed President Volodymyr Zelenskiy via a video shared by the Ukrainian leader that Ukrainian forces had progressed 35 kilometers into the Kursk region since launching their incursion last week.
Kyiv’s unexpected advance into Russian territory last week took Moscow off guard, shifting the momentum from Russian forces, who had been making slow but steady gains throughout the year in eastern Ukraine.
Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian forces had taken control of 82 settlements during the operation, covering an area of 1,150 square kilometers.
He also announced the appointment of Major General Eduard Moskalyov to lead the newly established military commandant’s office in the Ukrainian-controlled portion of western Russia.
“We are advancing in the Kursk region. A military commandant’s office has been established to ensure order and address the needs of the local population,” Syrskyi said in a written statement on his Telegram channel.