In a significant escalation of the conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Ukrainian troops are now operating within Russian borders. During a national address, Zelenskyy detailed the ongoing operations in what he termed “the aggressor’s territory.”

Zelenskyy’s remarks come as Ukrainian forces have reportedly entered the Kursk region, which has prompted Russia to declare a state of emergency. Moscow has acknowledged that up to 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers, supported by 11 tanks and over 20 armored vehicles, have crossed into Russian territory.

Russian authorities have initiated a “counter-terrorism” operation in response. Kursk’s acting governor, Alexei Smirnov, announced the emergency measures on Telegram, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing the situation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin assured residents of Kursk that assistance is being mobilized and that efforts are underway to manage the crisis. Analysts suggest that the Kremlin’s response might be aimed at mitigating public concern and preventing domestic unrest.