Zelenskiy says Ukraine 'stands firm' in Kursk region

Kyiv's forces held firm as Russian troops tried to break through their lines in the Kursk region for a fifth straight day, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Ukraine pressed past Russia's western region's border on August 6 and rapidly secured control of 1300 sq km, with over 100 settlements. The initial advance has stalled, and Moscow said it took back several settlements last week.

"For five days now, the Russians have been trying to break through our defence in the Kursk region. Our guys are standing firm and counterattacking," Zelenskiy said on X after holding a meeting with Ukraine's top commander.

He did not give additional details.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.

Ukrainian General Staff said on Facebook the Kursk operation was going on while Moscow's troops continued hitting Russian territories with guided bombs.

On Sunday, Russia's defence ministry said it was pursuing offensive operations at several dozen locations in the region and its glide bombs had struck a concentration of Ukrainian troops. On Wednesday, the ministry said two villages had been brought back under Russian control.

Zelenskiy also described battles in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts in Ukraine's east, where Russian troops have steadily advanced, as "particularly fierce".