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Ukrainian troops are now fighting inside Russian territory, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed this week. On Monday, he said soldiers had launched operations in Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions. This marks a notable shift in the war, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022. Zelensky described the actions as a rightful move to push the war back into Russian land and reduce pressure on Ukraine’s eastern front lines. The cross-border attacks are part of a broader effort to defend regions like Sumy and Kharkiv while weakening Russia’s grip on Donetsk.

Ukraine Confirms Combat Inside Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces are fighting on Russian soil, particularly in Belgorod, just across the border.
“We continue our offensive actions on enemy land near the border. That is absolutely rightful,” he said during his Monday address.

He also mentioned ongoing operations in the Kursk region, where Ukraine still holds a small area. While Russian forces regained most of the territory after Ukraine’s 2023 offensive, Ukraine has managed to maintain a foothold.

Zelensky emphasized that protecting border regions like Sumy and Kharkiv is a top priority. These regions face frequent attacks, and Ukrainian forces are aiming to reduce the strain on front lines in the eastern Donetsk region.

Strategic Goals Behind the Advance

The goal of these operations appears twofold: to disrupt Russian troop movements and shift attention away from eastern Ukraine. In March, Russia said it stopped Ukrainian troops from entering Belgorod. However, independent reports and military observers pointed to confirmed clashes near villages like Demidovka and Prilesye.

Ukrainian forces have also been active in Kursk, where they reportedly captured several villages earlier this year. According to Zelensky, these operations have forced Russia to move soldiers away from Donetsk — a key region where Russia has been advancing slowly in recent months.

In a video message, Zelensky praised military units for their efforts. “Excellent work, soldiers! I am proud of everyone defending Ukraine with strength and courage,” he said, directly acknowledging Ukrainian presence in Belgorod for the first time.

Reports from the Front

On March 18, Zelensky had only hinted at the Belgorod operation, calling it “an ongoing mission.” Russia claimed at the time that it repelled a border attack near Demidovka and Prilesye, though several sources suggest otherwise.

Russian bloggers reported intense fighting inside Demidovka, a village only two kilometers from the Ukrainian border. A U.S.-based research institute also noted Ukrainian advances in the region as of March 21.

Later updates from the same bloggers claimed that Ukrainian troops pulled back from parts of Belgorod. While the scale of Ukraine’s presence there seems limited, their success in capturing areas like Sudzha in Kursk shows Ukraine’s reach beyond its borders.

A Broader Strategy in Play

Some experts believe Ukraine may be using these cross-border incursions to gain leverage in future peace talks. The idea is to hold Russian territory that could be exchanged for occupied areas in Ukraine. International partners, including the United States, have supported such negotiations as a possible long-term path.

Still, not all analysts agree on the value of these missions. Some Western and Ukrainian experts worry about high losses and supply issues. They question whether the gains in Russia are worth the risk when Ukraine still faces pressure across its own front lines.

What This Means Going Forward

The confirmed presence of Ukrainian troops inside Russia marks a new phase of the war. It reflects Ukraine’s resolve to take the fight to the aggressor and shift the momentum.
Whether this tactic brings lasting results remains uncertain. But for now, Ukraine’s actions in Belgorod and Kursk show that the border is no longer a hard line — it’s an active front.