Ukraine’s Strategic Military Gains and Plans for a Buffer Zone

Ukraine’s Strategic Gains and Military Operations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported during a meeting with heads of the country’s foreign diplomatic missions that Ukraine currently controls over 1,250 square kilometers of territory within Russia, encompassing 92 settlements. In a significant development, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has successfully executed the largest operation to capture Russian prisoners, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s ongoing efforts to secure the release of Ukrainians held captive by Russian forces.

During the meeting, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s proactive defense strategy. He stated, “Our active defensive actions across the border, along with Putin’s inability to protect his territory from our operations, are highly indicative of the situation. Our proactive, preventive defense is the most effective counter to Russian terror, causing considerable challenges for the aggressor state.”

In a broader context, Russian authorities have reported that more than 121,000 individuals have been evacuated from the Kursk region since the onset of the military incursion. To accommodate those displaced, 84 temporary accommodation centers have been established, with Russian state television showcasing one such facility situated within a sports complex.

Creating a Buffer Zone: Ukraine’s Military Objectives

On Sunday, President Zelenskyy articulated a clear objective regarding the military incursion into the Kursk region, stating that the primary aim is to establish a “buffer zone”. This initiative is designed to thwart any further attacks from Moscow across the border. This announcement marks the first time Zelenskyy has explicitly defined the goals of the operation that commenced on August 6.

He further articulated that if Ukraine’s international partners were to lift restrictions on the deployment of long-range weapons targeting Russian territory, Ukraine would not need to conduct physical incursions—particularly into the Kursk region—to safeguard its citizens living in border communities and to mitigate Russia’s potential for aggression.