Ukraine’s top commander just revealed the progress Kyiv is making in Russia

On August 27th, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi provided a detailed update on the progress Ukrainian forces have made since launching an invasion of the Kursk region in Russia. 

While speaking via video at the '2024 Ukraine Independence' forum, Syrskyi announced that Ukrainian soldiers have taken a significant amount of Russian territory, settlements, and prisoners of war. 

“As of today, we continue to make progress,” Syrskyi stated according to a translation of his remarks from the Ukrainian Military news website Militarnyi. “We have taken control of 1,294 square kilometers of territory. and 100 settlements located on this territory.”

“We have also significantly replenished the exchange fund. Ukrainian troops have captured 594 servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces in this sector so far,” Syrskyi added.

Ukrainian forces began a limited invasion of Russia’s Kursk region on August 6th and were quickly met with success to the surprise of the world. Images and videos quickly began circulating on social media showing large groups of surrendering Russian troops. 

Syrskyi also revealed that the invasion of Kursk was undertaken as a means to stop the constant shelling of towns and cities in the Sumy region of Ukraine and to prevent what appeared to be an imminent Russian attack from the Kursk area. 

Militarnyi noted that Syrskyi said Russia had concentrated a large number of its military forces in Kursk and was planning an offensive. According to Syrskyi, this forced Ukraine to launch an attack so that the country could establish a security zone to protect its territory. 

Russian forces pulled off a similar attack against the Kharkiv region of Ukraine on May 10th. It was an operation that initially saw success and established a new front far from the fighting in the south and southeast regions of Ukraine. 

The Institute for the Study of War reported that as of August 26th, Russia still held some territory in Kharkiv and was making some progress in the area as Ukrainian forces have tried to push Russian troops back across the international border. 

It was likely the similar scenario in Kharkiv that prompted Ukraine to preemptively invade the Kursk region of Russia to prevent another new front from being opened in the north. However, Syrskyi also noted the invasion was meant to help draw troops away from other fronts. 

"The Kursk operation diverted a significant number of its forces," Syrskyi said. "As of now, we can say that around 30,000 servicemen have been sent to the Kursk front and this figure is growing."

Syrskyi also spoke about the problems Ukraine was facing near the sectors of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Instead of pulling soldiers from the Pokrovsk region to reinforce Kursk, Syrskyi noted Russia has increased its efforts in the sector. 

Ukraine is also concentrating forces in the region according to Syrskyi, who explained Russia was trying “to seize a section of the Kostiantynivka—Pokrovsk highway, intending to disrupt the logistics of the Defense Forces."

Unfortunately, Syrskyi said that the situation around Pokrovsk was very difficult and that Moscow was using its advantages in soldiers and equipment to make progress in the area as the two sides fought upwards of 50 clashes on average per day. 

"The situation on the Pokrovsk front is fairly difficult ... the enemy is using its advantage in personnel, weapons, and military equipment, it is actively using artillery and aviation," Syrskyi said. However, how the situation will unfold is still unknown. 

On August 23rd, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree promoting Syrskyi to the rank of general from his former position of colonel general. 

Syrskyi was appointed Commander-in-Chief in February 2024 and succeeded General Valerii Zaluzhny according to the New Voice of Ukraine. 

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