Continued Fighting in Russia's Kursk Region; Zelensky Praises Ukrainian Army's Ability to Surprise

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, praised his country's army for their ability to 'surprise' the Russian army and achieve results. These remarks came after Moscow stated that Ukrainian forces had launched a cross-border attack in the Kursk region. Reuters reported that the Ukrainian army seems to have adopted a strategy of silence regarding activities in the Kursk region of Russia, where Moscow claims its military units have been active since Tuesday. On Thursday, August 9, Zelensky, during a ceremony to unveil a new digital application aimed at reducing bureaucracy in the Ukrainian army, stated, 'Everyone can see that the Ukrainian army knows how to surprise and how to achieve results.' In his speech, which was published on the Telegram messaging app, he said, 'This is shown on the battlefield, where our soldiers not only stood against the massive force of the occupiers but are also destroying the enemy in a way that is essential for protecting our country and independence.' Meanwhile, the governor of the Donetsk region reported that at least four people were killed early Thursday in shelling of the city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine by Russian forces. Vadym Filashkin stated on Telegram that the Russian attack targeted a residential area. Parts of the Donetsk region under Ukrainian control are under continuous shelling and air attacks from Russia. Russian forces control a large part of Donetsk, which Moscow claims as its territory along with four other regions of Ukraine. The shelling on Thursday occurred while Russian forces were engaged in battle with Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. Ukrainian forces entered operations in this area on Monday, August 7, during what Moscow described as an attempt 'to force Russia to divert resources from the battlefield in Ukraine.'