Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian Army soldiers are present in the Belgorod region. It is a big jolt for Russia because it has been considered a major strategic shift since the war began in 2022. Last month, Russia launched a massive attack in the region, and it was expected that the Ukrainian soldiers might be present in Belgorod. 

Major jolt for Putin

If Ukrainian soldiers capture Belgorod, it would be a jolt for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy confirmed on Monday that Ukrainian soldiers are on the spot in Kursk and Belgorod. 

Zelenskyy vows to carry out operations in border area

Zelenskyy posted on X,” Today, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on the situation at the front, including our presence in the Kursk and Belgorod regions. We continue to carry out active operations in the border areas on enemy territory, and this is just—war must return to where it came from.

The main objective remains the same: to protect our land and our communities in Sumy and Kharkiv regions as much as possible from the Russian occupier. The Commander-in-Chief reported on the activity of our units along the border line, in the so-called “gray zone,” and directly on enemy territory.

It is important that, thanks to the bravery and resilience of our soldiers in the Kursk region—thanks to the entire Kursk operation—we have managed to ease the pressure on other parts of the front, particularly in Donetsk region. It is absolutely crucial to keep destroying Russian equipment and all logistics used by the occupiers.

I am grateful to every one of our units delivering these results, inflicting losses on the invader, and defending our Ukrainian positions.”

Zelenskyy put strategic pressure on Russia

Zelenskyy’s stance is seen as a strategic move, posing a security challenge to Putin and his administration. It is viewed as an attempt to put strategic pressure on Russia. The Russian Army claimed this year that the Ukrainian Army launched an offensive in the region. In Deep state Blog, which is considered as close to Ukrainian Army, claimed that Ukrainian soldiers have captured 13 kilometres region near Demidovka.

Zelenskyy confirmed presence of Ukrainian soldiers in Belgorod

Notably, Belgorod is situated on the borderline in the Western region of Russia. The city is located adjacent to Kharkiv. In the past, the Ukrainian soldiers and Russian rebels had targeted the Russian Army, but it is the first time that Ukraine has admitted its presence in the region.