Kiev, 13 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said his country's forces have seized dozens of Russian localities in the southern region of Kursk, one week into its surprise cross-border offensive.

"Ukraine controls 74 communities," Zelensky said on the social media platform X.

The figure is far higher than Russian authorities have publicized. The acting governor of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, stated on Monday that 28 localities were under Ukrainian control.

The Ukrainian DeepState mapping project estimates that 44 settlements have been seized, while independent Russian media have put the figure at around 30.

Zelensky said that he is constantly being briefed on the situation by the Ukrainian commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

"Despite the difficult and intense battles, our forces continue to advance in the Kursk region," Zelensky added, noting that more and more Russian soldiers are being captured to use them as bargaining chips for the next prisoner exchange with Russia.

"I am grateful to our warriors for their heroic service," Zelensky said.

In the areas controlled by Ukraine, inspections and stabilization measures are now under way, Zelensky said. "The development of humanitarian solutions for these territories continues," he stated.

Kiev previously said that civilians should not be harmed in its offensive, which began last Tuesday.

Next steps are being prepared, the president said, without providing details.

The goal of the offensive, he added, is to achieve a just peace as quickly as possible.

The Ukrainian leadership has made it clear that it intends to use the areas in the Kursk region as leverage in peace negotiations. The aim is not to permanently occupy the territory.

Photo: EPA