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Ukraine Confirms Military Operations in Russia’s Belgorod Region
In a significant acknowledgment, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly confirmed for the first time the deployment of Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Belgorod region. Speaking on Monday, Zelensky stated that these military operations in the border areas are “absolutely justified,” asserting that the conflict must return to its origin.
Zelensky Justifies Cross-Border Actions
“We continue to carry out active operations in the border areas on enemy territory, and that is absolutely just – war must return to where it came from,” President Zelensky stated, justifying the presence of Ukrainian troops in Russia.
Operations Extend to Kursk Region
Zelensky’s remarks also referenced the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces maintain a limited presence following a major offensive last year, despite Moscow regaining control of the majority of the area. He noted that while Russia had retaken most of the territory after the previous offensive, Ukraine still maintained a foothold.
Strategic Objectives: Protecting Ukrainian Border Regions
According to Zelensky, the primary objective of these operations is to safeguard Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv border regions and alleviate pressure on other sections of the extensive frontline, particularly the eastern Donetsk region. He emphasized that these actions aimed to “ease the pressure” on Ukrainian forces in critical sectors of the war.
Russian Claims of Repelled Attacks
The Russian military had previously reported thwarting attempts by Ukrainian forces to cross into the Belgorod region, claiming to have repelled such attacks. Moscow has consistently downplayed the scale and success of Ukrainian incursions into Russian territory.
Background: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and currently, Moscow holds approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. The ongoing conflict has seen fighting across a vast front line, with periodic cross-border actions.
First Explicit Acknowledgment of Belgorod Presence
In his nightly video address, Zelensky disclosed that he received a briefing from his top commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, regarding the frontline situation, “including our presence in the Kursk and Belgorod regions.” This statement marks his first explicit public acknowledgment of Ukrainian military presence in Belgorod.
Gratitude to Ukrainian Forces
Zelensky expressed gratitude to several Ukrainian army units, notably the 225th Assault Regiment, which he confirmed is operating in the Belgorod region. He commended the soldiers, stating, “Well done, guys! I’m proud of each and every one who is fighting for Ukraine!” He offered no further specifics regarding the operations.
Indirect Confirmation Preceded Announcement
Zelensky had offered an indirect confirmation of Ukrainian troop presence on March 18, stating “There is an operation there” in response to a Russian defense ministry statement about unsuccessful Ukrainian attempts to enter Belgorod. This earlier statement hinted at Ukrainian activity, which has now been explicitly confirmed.
Conflicting Reports and ISW Assessment
Russia asserted that all Ukrainian attempts to advance towards Demidovka and Prilesye were stopped and a cross-border raid was prevented. However, at the time, various Russian military bloggers reported active combat in Demidovka, situated roughly two kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also reported on March 21 that “Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Belgorod,” citing claims from Russian military bloggers about Ukrainian forces consolidating positions near Demidovka and Prilesye, although these reports remained unverified.
Recent Developments: Reported Withdrawal and Scale of Operations
More recently, Russian military bloggers have indicated a withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Demidovka area. The scale of Ukraine’s operations in Belgorod is believed to be considerably smaller than its previous actions in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces briefly seized multiple villages, including Sudzha. Analysts suggest the current operation may be more limited in scope.
Strategic Goals: Redeployment of Russian Forces
Zelensky and top military officials have repeatedly stated these incursions have compelled Moscow to redeploy troops from the Donetsk region, where Russia has been making gradual gains in recent months. A key strategic aim appears to be to stretch Russian military resources and disrupt offensives elsewhere.
Potential Objectives: Future Negotiations and Analyst Concerns
Speculation suggests Ukraine might aim to leverage control of areas inside Russia in potential future peace negotiations, possibly exchanging them for Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Moscow. However, numerous war analysts have questioned the military value of Kyiv’s operations within Russian territory, citing reports of significant combat losses and challenges in weapons supply, and debating the overall strategic effectiveness of these operations.