Zelensky: Russia Must Face Consequences as Ukraine Intensifies Offensive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Thursday that Russia must “feel” the consequences of its war, as a significant Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory continued for a third day.

Pro-Kyiv forces launched an attack in Russia’s southwestern Kursk region on Tuesday, deploying around 1,000 troops, along with armored vehicles and tanks, according to the Russian army. This marks one of the most substantial Ukrainian offensives into Russia since the war began, with analysts estimating that Ukrainian forces have advanced up to 10 kilometers (six miles) into Russian territory.

“Russia brought the war to our land and should feel what it has done,” Zelensky said in his evening address, without directly mentioning the offensive.

“Ukrainians know how to achieve their goals. And we did not choose to achieve our goals in the war,” he added.

The Russian defense ministry reported on Thursday that its troops were “continuing to destroy” Ukrainian units through air strikes, rocket, and artillery fire, attempting to push them back. The ministry also said it had deployed reserves and was “thwarting attempts to break through” deeper into the Kursk region.

The independent U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) confirmed that Ukraine had made significant territorial gains in the first two days of the incursion, noting that Ukrainian forces had penetrated at least two Russian defensive lines and a stronghold.

Kyiv has not officially claimed responsibility for the operation, but a top aide to Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak, blamed Moscow for the escalation. He stated that Russia’s aggression is the root cause of the current situation, including forced evacuations and destruction within its own territories.

Without directly addressing the incursion, Zelensky stated on Wednesday, “The more pressure we put on Russia, the closer we will get to peace. A just peace through just force.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the attack as a “large-scale provocation” by Kyiv, and Russia’s top general vowed to crush the incursion.

The U.S. State Department expressed support for Ukraine, with spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterating, “We strongly support Ukraine’s effort to defend against Russia’s aggression.”

The surprise Ukrainian attack appeared to catch Russia’s military off guard, leading to criticism from influential Russian military bloggers. The Ukrainian advance has focused on Sudzha, a logistical hub eight kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Reports from military bloggers indicated that the situation was worsening, with some claiming that Sudzha had been lost to Ukrainian forces.

Russian energy giant Gazprom announced it would continue shipping gas through the Sudzha metering station, the last transit point for Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moscow reported destroying a U.S.-made Bradley Fighting Vehicle used by Ukrainian forces.

The Russian defense ministry initially blamed a pro-Ukrainian “sabotage group” for the raid but later acknowledged that Ukraine’s army was conducting the operation.

While pro-Kyiv militias, including those comprising Russian citizens, have previously staged cross-border raids, this latest incursion into the Kursk region appears to be Ukraine’s most successful and organized effort to penetrate Russian territory. Analysts suggest that Ukraine’s objective may be to stretch Russia’s military resources, forcing them to redeploy units away from the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces have been advancing.

In response, the governor of the Kursk region declared a state of emergency on Wednesday evening, granting authorities the power to restrict movement in an effort to bring the situation under control. Several thousand people have been evacuated from both sides of the border.