Kiev: Russian offensive to "destabilize" situation in Russia
Moreover, the advance has boosted morale in the Ukrainian army, within the government, and among the people. "This operation has shown us that we can also attack and move forward," he said.
Russia had declared on Wednesday that Ukraine had advanced with around a thousand soldiers into the Russian border region of Kursk. Kyiv initially did not comment on this offensive. On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the advance into the Russian region of Kursk for the first time. He said that Kyiv was trying to "shift" the war onto Russian territory.
The Ukrainian security official told AFP that Ukraine was "strictly observing human rights" in its operations in Russia. "It's very important that Ukraine doesn't violate any convention. We don't execute prisoners, we don't rape women, we don't loot," he said. "There will be no repeat of Bucha, Irpin, all that," he said, referring to war scenes in Ukraine where Russian troops, according to Kyiv, committed war crimes.
The Russian declaration mentioned the Ukrainian troops advancing into the Russian border region of Kursk. Despite initial silence, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged this advance into the Russian region of Kursk.
