Zelensky says Kursk operation led to transfer of 40,000 Russian soldiers to the region

According to the President of Ukraine, the country's operation in the Kursk region of Russia has led to the transfer of 40,000 Russian troops to this area, consequently diminishing that country's military capabilities in eastern Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, stated on the evening of Thursday, September 20, referring to his discussions with military commanders, that the army is making every effort 'to sustain combat brigades.' He noted the reduction of Russia's offensive capacity in the Donetsk region, saying, 'We have successfully diverted nearly 40,000 Russian soldiers [to another front], and our active measures continue.' Ukraine's offensive in the Kursk region began on August 7, and it is reported that Ukrainian forces managed to control approximately 1,300 square kilometers in this area at the peak of their operations. In his evening message, Volodymyr Zelensky also stated that his country does not intend to seize Russian territory, but this operation provides Ukraine with more leverage in potential peace negotiations and also increases the number of captured Russian soldiers for exchange. The U.S. has stated that Ukraine's plan to compel Russia to end the war is 'feasible.' Since the start of Ukraine's operations in the Kursk region, the two countries have exchanged prisoners of war three times. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine have provided conflicting accounts regarding the situation in the Kursk region, with one side reporting further recoveries while Kyiv speaks of halting Russia's counteroffensive. Apti Alaudinov, a Russian Defense Ministry official, stated on Thursday that Russian forces had recaptured two more villages in the Kursk region. However, Oleksiy Dmitrashkevich, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian army, told AFP that Russia's counteroffensive in the Kursk region has 'stopped,' asserting that 'everything is under control.' On the other hand, Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine continue. Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in his evening message that in the eastern front, areas near the cities of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove are facing 'very difficult' conditions and are under 'daily battles' from Russian forces. Apti Alaudinov also mentioned on Thursday the continued advance of Russian forces towards the strategic city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk, claiming, 'Our entire front is moving forward.' The war casualties in Ukraine have reached '280,000 dead and 800,000 injured.' Meanwhile, on Thursday, Ukraine's national energy company announced that Russian attacks on Sumy, in northeastern Ukraine, have led to power outages in the city. Since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, especially in recent months, Russia has targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure with severe attacks, and the International Energy Agency recently stated that the damage from these attacks could lead to energy shortages this winter. The UN Human Rights Office in Ukraine reported on Thursday that there are reasonable grounds to believe that multiple aspects of military operations aimed at damaging or destroying civilian heat and electricity production and transmission infrastructure in Ukraine violate fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced on Thursday that the EU will allocate 160 million euros from frozen Russian assets to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine this winter.